Disseminated Herpesvirus Infection During Pregnancy

Abstract

A case of disseminated herpes simplex virus infection during pregnancy is reported, and 26 similar cases are reviewed. The present case was unusual in that it occurred in the 12th week of gestation, whereas all but one of the other cases occurred in the second or third trimester. This rare complication is generally preceded by a flu-like prodrome with or without oral or genital lesions. The clinical presentation is (1) encephalitis without hepatic involvement, (2) hepatitis with or without central nervous system findings, or (3) disseminated skin lesions. When the liver is involved, rapidly progressive hepatic necrosis and severe coagulopathy are common and the mortality is high. Early diagnosis and early institution of antiviral chemotherapy with acyclovir greatly improve the outcome for both mother and infant.

Clinico-Pathologic Conference: 17-Day-Old Girl With Hypothermia, Decreased Feedings, and Liver and Kidney Failure

“…The clinical presentation may be an encephalitis without hepatic involvement, hepatitis with or without central nervous system ¢ndings or disseminated skin lesions. When the liver is involved, rapidly progressive hepatic necrosis and severe coagulopathy are common and the mortality is high, as in this case [15].…”

Hepatitis, Meningitis and Hydrocephalus Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type I

“…In 70% of cases it is accompanied by mucocutaneous involvement, which may lead to diagnosis and prompt treatment with acyclovir [12] . Hepatic involvement may result in rapid necrosis and severe disorders of coagulation and dead [13,14] . Our patient presented with meningitis and hepatitis by HSV simultaneously on the basis of all ancillary studies we carried out.…”

Fatal herpetic hepatitis in adult following short corticotherapy: a case report

“…The use of antiviral treatment has been reported in 9 out of 52 cases by Kaufman [1], and only 4 of them survived. In a series of HSV hepatitis during pregnancy [8], all the seven women who received acyclovir survived. In our case, multiple organ failure was already present before acyclovir was administered.…”