Korean J Perinatol.  2015 Jun;26(2):139-143. 10.14734/kjp.2015.26.2.139.

A Case of Maternal Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Encephalitis without Genital Skin Lesion

• Kang YD

• KMID: 1896939
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14734/kjp.2015.26.2.139

Abstract

Herpes simplex encephalitis is the most common form of encephalitis, but herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) encephalitis is very rare during pregnancy. In immunocompetent patients, HSV-2 encephalitis is usually mild. With early diagnosis and prompt initiation of antiviral treatment, as well as enhanced neurocritical care, a favorable outcome can be expected in both mother and neonate. We report a rare case of maternal HSV-2 encephalitis diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction following appendectomy. The woman had no symptomatic genital lesion, and the infant was not infected.

Keyword

Herpes simplex virus; Encephalitis; Pregnancy

MeSH Terms

Appendectomy
Early Diagnosis
Encephalitis*
Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex
Female
Herpesvirus 2, Human*
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Mothers
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Pregnancy
Simplexvirus
Skin*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Section of the appendix shows a few neutrophils in muscularis propria (H&E, ×200).

• 

  Fig. 2. Brain MRI scans of a patient with HSV-2 encephalitis during pregnancy. It was within normal limit.

Reference

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