Transcript HSV
Herpes Simplex Virus
Primarily by Linda Wallen, MD
Edited May, 2005
Epidemiology of Herpes Simplex
• 5 % patients have a history of HSV
• > 20% have serologic evidence of HSV
Primary infection = Patient has NO antibodies to HSV
Nonprimary= prior exposure to either HSV-1 or HSV-2
Recurrent infection = + antibodies to reactivating virus type
Shedding at delivery not predicted from past cultures
• > 2/3 of babies with HSV infection are born to
mothers with NO previous history of HSV
• Risk neonatal infection with recurrence= 2-5%
• Risk neonatal infection with primary inf.= 35%
Pathway of Infection for Neonatal HSV
• < 5% with intrauterine acquired infection
• Primary infection may be associated with a higher
risk of spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, and
neonatal infection
Higher viral load, longer excretion (14-21 days)
No transplacental antibody
• 85% cases are acquired at the time of delivery
Risk increased with PROM (> 6 hour), application of fetal
scalp electrodes and other invasive tests
• 10% acquired postnatally
Presentation of Neonatal HSV Infection
• > 90% present between 5-19 days of age
• > 20% NEVER have skin lesions
• Initial symptoms vague in 30%
Lethargy
Poor feeding
Fever
Irritability
• Intrauterine acquisition: skin lesions, scars,
chorioretinitis, evidence of CNS involvement
(hydranencephaly or microcephaly)
Onset of symptoms (day)
Onset of Neonatal HSV Infection
25
20
15
10
*
5
0
Acta Paediatr 84:256, 1995
Signs & Symptoms of Neonatal HSV Before
Treatment
Disseminated Encephalitis Skin/eye/mouth
Skin vesicles (% )
58
63
83
(# d+ SEM)
Lethargy (% )
(# d+ SEM)
Fever (% )
(# d+ SEM)
Conjunctiv (% )
(# d+ SEM)
Seizures (% )
(# d+ SEM)
Pneumonia (% )
(# d+ SEM)
4 + 1
6 + 1
4 + 1
47
49
19
3 + 1
5 + 1
56
44
5 + 1
3 + 1
17
6 + 2
22
16
17
5 + 1
25
4 + 1
6 + 2
57
2
2 + 1
3 + 1
7
37
3
0
4 + 1
9+ 6
Pediatrics 108 (2): 226, 2001
Diagnosis of Neonatal HSV Infection
Gold standard = Positive culture of: lesion,
nasopharynx, conjunctiva, rectum, or CSF
• Rapid diagnostic methods
Polymerase chain reaction on CSF and blood
Fluorescent antibody stain on vesicle
scraping
Treatment of Neonatal HSV
• Acyclovir 60 mg/kg/day IV given q8h
Suspect
infection - 2 d of negative cultures
Definite infection - 14 d for SEM, 21 d CNS
• Topical ocular ointment for eye lesions
Mortality & Morbidity after 1 Year of Age: 1981-1997
100
80
60
HSV-1
HSV-2
40
20
0
CNS
Dissemin
Mortality
CNS
Dissemin
Severe Disability
Pediatrics 108 (2): 227, 2001
Peripartum Management of Pregnant
Women with History of HSV
If no active lesions, normal vaginal delivery
• No current recommendation to culture for mother
or infant for HSV
•Options with active lesions at onset of labor:
If term and ROM <4-6 (?24) hours, C-section
•
If preterm and ROM, may manage expectantly with
or without acyclovir, betamethasone treatment, etc.
OR may offer C-section
•
C-section does NOT eliminate risk of neonatal HSV
Peripartum Management of Pregnant
Women with Possible Primary HSV
• Viral culture of active lesions
• Serological classification if accurate testing
available
• Value of acyclovir is not known
• If 3rd trimester, consider weekly cultures
• primary infection associated with prolonged viral
shedding
• If preterm and ROM, may manage expectantly +/acyclovir, betamethasone treatment, etc.
• OR may offer C-section
Management of the Asymptomatic
Neonate Exposed to HSV at Delivery
• For recurrent maternal HSV:
Separate from other newborns, may stay with mom in
private room
Instruct parents re: subtle signs infection, skin lesions
Obtain cultures at 24-48 hours from vesicles,
nasopharynx, conjunctiva, and rectum (do not pool
rectal cultures with other cultures)
If cultures are positive then treat with acyclovir
Delay circumcision for > 1 month
Management of the Asymptomatic
Neonate Exposed to HSV at Delivery
• For first episode genital infection:
Manage with contact precautions (gown, glove),
isolation
Obtain cultures from vesicles, nasopharynx,
conjunctiva, and rectum (do not pool rectal cultures
with other cultures)
Lumbar puncture for HSV PCR and culture
Treat with acyclovir
Delay circumcision for > 1 month