Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Hot Topics in Infection and Immunity in Children VII pp 221–230Cite as

Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infections: Where Are We Now?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 697))

Abstract

Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. Prior to antiviral therapy, 85% of patients with disseminated HSV disease and 50% of patients with central nervous system disease died within 1 year. The advent of antiviral therapy has dramatically improved the prognosis of neonatal HSV with initially vidarabine and subsequently acyclovir increasing the survival rate of infected neonates and improving long-term developmental outcomes. More recently, polymerase chain reaction has allowed earlier identification of HSV infection and provided a quantitative guide to treatment. Current advances in the treatment of neonatal HSV infections are looking toward the role of prolonged oral suppression therapy in reducing the incidence of recurrent disease. Of concern, however, are increasing reports of acyclovir-resistant HSV isolates in patients following prolonged therapy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Kimberlin DW. Neonatal herpes simplex infection. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2004;17(1):1–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Brown ZA, Wald A, Morrow RM, Selke S, Zeh J, Corey L. Effect of serologic status and cesarean delivery on transmission rates of herpes simplex virus from mother to infant. JAMA. 2003;289:203–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Kimberlin DW. Neonatal HSV infections: the global picture. Herpes. 2004;11(2):31–2.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Brown ZA, Benedetti J, Ashley R, Burchett S, Selke S, Berry S, Vontver LA, Corey L. Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection in relation to asymptomatic maternal infection at the time of labor. N Engl J Med. 1991;324:1247–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Brown ZA, Vontver LA, Benedetti J, Critchlow CW, Sells CJ, Berry S, Corey L. Effects on infants of a first episode of genital herpes during pregnancy. N Engl J Med. 1987;317:1246–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Brown ZA, Selke S, Zeh J, Kopelman J, Maslow A, Ashley RL et al. The acquisition of herpes simplex virus during pregnancy. N Engl J Med. 1997;337(8):509–15.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Nahmias AJ, Josey WE, Naib ZM, Freeman MG, Fernandez RJ, Wheeler JH. Perinatal risk associated with maternal genital herpes simplex virus infection. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1971;110(6):825–37.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Parvey LS, Ch’ien LT. Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection introduced by fetal-monitor scalp electrodes. Pediatrics. 1980;65(6):1150–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Johnston C, Magaret A, Selke S, Remington M, Corey L, Wald A. Herpes simplex virus viremia during primary genital infection. J Infect Dis. 2008;198(1):31–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kimberlin DW, Lin CY, Jacobs RF, Powell DA, Frenkel LM, Gruber WC et al. Natural history of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections in the acyclovir era. Pediatrics. 2001;108(2):223–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kimberlin DW, Lin C-Y, Jacobs RF, Powell DA, Frenkel LM, Gruber W et al. Natural history of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections in the acyclovir era. Pediatrics. 2001;108:223–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Whitley RJ, Nahmias AJ, Soong SJ, Galasso GG, Fleming CL, Alford CA. Vidarabine therapy of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection. Pediatrics. 1980;66(4):495–501.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Kimberlin DW, Lin CY, Jacobs RF, Powell DA, Corey L, Gruber WC et al. Safety and efficacy of high-dose intravenous acyclovir in the management of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections. Pediatrics. 2001;108(2):230–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Whitley RJ, Yeager A, Kartus P, Bryson Y, Connor JD, Alford CA et al. Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection: follow-up evaluation of vidarabine therapy. Pediatrics. 1983;72(6):778–85.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Whitley RJ, Alford CA Jr, Hirsch MS, Schooley RT, Luby JP, Aoki FY et al. . Vidarabine versus acyclovir therapy in herpes simplex encephalitis. N Engl J Med. 1986;314:144–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Whitley R, Arvin A, Prober C, Burchett S, Corey L, Powell D et al. . A controlled trial comparing vidarabine with acyclovir in neonatal herpes simplex virus infection. infectious diseases collaborative antiviral study group. N Engl J Med. 1991;324(7):444–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Kimberlin DW, Lakeman FD, Arvin AM, Prober CG, Corey L, Powell DW et al. . Application of the polymerase chain reactin to the diagnosis and management of neonatal herpes simplex virus disease. J Infect Dis. 1996;174:1162–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Malm G, Forsgren M. Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections: HSV DNA in cerebrospinal fluid and serum. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 1999;81(1):F24–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Kimura H, Aso K, Kuzushima K, Hanada N, Shibata M, Morishima T. Relapse of herpes simplex encephalitis in children. Pediatrics. 1992;89(5 Pt 1):891–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Kimberlin DW, Lakeman FD, Arvin AM, Prober CG, Corey L, Powell DA et al. . Application of the polymerase chain reaction to the diagnosis and management of neonatal herpes simplex virus disease. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Collaborative Antiviral Study Group. J Infect Dis. 1996;174(6):1162–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Troendle-Atkins J, Demmler GJ, Buffone GJ. Rapid diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis by using the polymerase chain reaction. J Pediatr. 1993;123:376–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Kimura H, Futamura M, Kito H, Ando T, Goto M, Kuzushima K et al. . Detection of viral DNA in neonatal herpes simplex virus infections: Frequent and prolonged presence in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. J Infect Dis. 1991;164:289–93.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Troendle-Atkins J, Demmler GJ, Buffone GJ. Rapid diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis by using the polymerase chain reaction. J Pediatr. 1993;123(3):376–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Domingues RB, Lakeman FD, Mayo MS, Whitley RJ. Application of competitive PCR to cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with herpes simplex encephalitis. J Clin Microbiol. 1998;36:2229–34.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Kimura H, Ito Y, Futamura M, Ando Y, Yabuta Y, Hoshino Y et al. . Quantitation of viral load in neonatal herpes simplex virus infection and comparison between type 1 and type 2. J Med Virol. 2002;67(3):349–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Kimberlin DW, Whitley RJ. Neonatal herpes: what have we learned. Semin Pediatr Infect Dis. 2005;16(1):7–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Whitley R, Arvin A, Prober C, Corey L, Burchett S, Plotkin S et al. . Predictors of morbidity and mortality in neonates with herpes simplex virus infections. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Collaborative Antiviral Study Group. N Engl J Med. 1991;324(7):450–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kimberlin D, Powell D, Gruber W, Diaz P, Arvin A, Kumar M et al. Administration of oral acyclovir suppressive therapy following neonatal herpes simplex virus disease limited to the skin, eyes, and mouth: results of a Phase I/II tiral. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1996;15:247–54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Oram RJ, Marcellino D, Strauss D, Gustafson E, Talarico CL, Root AK et al. . Characterization of an acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 2 strain isolated from a premature neonate. J Infect Dis. 2000;181(4):1458–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Levin MJ, Weinberg A, Leary JJ, Sarisky RT. Development of acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus early during the treatment of herpes neonatorum. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2001;20(11):1094–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paediatrics, John Radcliffe Children’s Hospital, Oxford, UK

    Clara Thompson

  2. Paediatrics, Microbiology, Medicine and Neurosurgery, The University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA

    Richard Whitley

Authors
  1. Clara Thompson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Richard Whitley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard Whitley .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Children's Hospital, Dept. Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia

    Nigel Curtis

  2. Institute of Child Life and Health, UBHT Education Centre, University of Bristol, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS2 8AE, United Kingdom

    Adam Finn

  3. University of Oxford, Level 4,John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom

    Andrew J. Pollard

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Thompson, C., Whitley, R. (2011). Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infections: Where Are We Now?. In: Curtis, N., Finn, A., Pollard, A. (eds) Hot Topics in Infection and Immunity in Children VII. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 697. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7185-2_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation