Herpes noworodkowy
Patofizjologia i mechanizm

Herpes noworodkowy to rzadka, ale ciężka infekcja wirusowa wywoływana przez HSV-1 i HSV-2, z dominacją HSV-2 (70-85% przypadków). Zakażenie może nastąpić wewnątrzmacicznie (5%), okołoporodowo (85%) lub poporodowo (10%). Ryzyko transmisji zależy od rodzaju zakażenia matki (pierwotne zakażenie w III trymestrze wiąże się z 33% ryzykiem transmisji, nawrotowe tylko 3%), statusu immunologicznego matki, czasu pęknięcia błon płodowych oraz procedur położniczych. Patogeneza obejmuje wniknięcie wirusa przez błony śluzowe lub uszkodzoną skórę, replikację w komórkach nabłonkowych, wiremię i zakażenie narządów docelowych, w tym OUN, gdzie wirus może rozprzestrzeniać się drogą krwionośną lub transportem aksonalnym. Charakterystyczne zmiany histopatologiczne to martwica krwotoczna, ciałka wtrętowe i nacieki limfocytarne. Dysregulacja odpowiedzi zapalnej u noworodków przyczynia się do patogenezy, a mutacje w szlaku TLR3 mogą predysponować do ciężkich postaci choroby.

Patogeneza herpesu noworodkowego

Herpes noworodkowy (neonatal herpes) to rzadka, ale potencjalnie zagrażająca życiu infekcja wirusowa wywoływana przez wirus opryszczki pospolitej (Herpes Simplex Virus – HSV), która dotyka noworodki w pierwszych tygodniach życia. Choroba występuje z częstością około 1 na 3000 do 20000 żywych urodzeń, zależnie od regionu geograficznego.123 Ze względu na niedojrzały układ odpornościowy noworodków, zakażenie HSV może prowadzić do poważnych powikłań, a nawet zgonu dziecka.4

Czynnik etiologiczny

Herpes noworodkowy wywoływany jest przez dwa typy wirusa opryszczki pospolitej:

  • HSV-2 – odpowiedzialny za większość przypadków (70-85%)56
  • HSV-1 – powoduje około 15-30% zakażeń78

HSV należy do rodziny Herpesviridae i jest wirusem DNA o złożonej strukturze. Posiada dwuniciowy liniowy genom DNA składający się z około 150 000 par zasad kodujących ponad 80 polipeptydów, kapsyd składający się ze 162 kapsomerów ułożonych w symetrię ikozaedryczną, otoczony ściśle przylegającym błoniastym tegumentem, oraz osłonkę składającą się z 11 glikoprotein (gB, gC, gD, gE, gG, gH, gI, gJ, gK, gL i gM), lipidów i poliamin.9 Ta złożona struktura wirusa ma kluczowe znaczenie dla jego patogenności i zdolności do infekowania komórek gospodarza.

Drogi zakażenia

Istnieją trzy główne drogi zakażenia HSV u noworodków:1011

  • Zakażenie wewnątrzmaciczne (in utero) – stanowi około 5% przypadków. Wirus może przenikać przez łożysko lub przez pęknięte bądź pozornie nienaruszone błony płodowe.1213
  • Zakażenie okołoporodowe (intrapartum) – najczęstsza droga zakażenia, stanowiąca około 85% przypadków. Dochodzi do niego podczas porodu, gdy noworodek ma kontakt z zakażonymi wydzielinami z dróg rodnych matki.1415
  • Zakażenie poporodowe (postpartum) – stanowi około 10% przypadków. Może nastąpić w wyniku kontaktu noworodka z osobami zakażonymi HSV, np. poprzez pocałunki lub kontakt z aktywną zmianą opryszczkową.16

Czynniki ryzyka zakażenia

Ryzyko transmisji wirusa HSV z matki na dziecko zależy od kilku kluczowych czynników:1718

  • Rodzaj zakażenia u matki – pierwotne zakażenie HSV u matki w trzecim trymestrze ciąży wiąże się z 33% ryzykiem przeniesienia wirusa na dziecko, podczas gdy nawrotowe zakażenie niesie ze sobą tylko około 3% ryzyko.1920
  • Status immunologiczny matki – brak przeciwciał przeciwko HSV u matki znacząco zwiększa ryzyko transmisji. Matki z pierwotnym zakażeniem HSV nie zdążyły wytworzyć przeciwciał ochronnych, które mogłyby przejść przez łożysko i chronić płód.21
  • Czas pęknięcia błon płodowych – przedłużony czas od pęknięcia błon płodowych do porodu zwiększa ryzyko zakażenia noworodka.22
  • Procedury położnicze – stosowanie elektrod do monitorowania płodu podczas porodu może zwiększać ryzyko zakażenia poprzez dostarczenie miejsca inokulacji wirusa.2324
  • Bezobjawowe siewstwo wirusa – co istotne, około 70% noworodków, które rozwijają opryszczkę noworodkową, rodzi się z matek, które są całkowicie bezobjawowe pod kątem zakażenia HSV w czasie porodu i nie mają w wywiadzie ani genitalnej opryszczki, ani partnera zgłaszającego wysypkę pęcherzykową.25

Mechanizm zakażenia i rozwój choroby

Proces patogenetyczny opryszczki noworodkowej jest złożony i obejmuje kilka etapów, od momentu wniknięcia wirusa do organizmu, aż po rozwój objawów klinicznych.26

Wnikanie wirusa do organizmu

HSV wnika do organizmu poprzez inokulację błon śluzowych jamy ustnej, nosa, spojówek lub dróg rodnych, a także przez przerwanie ciągłości skóry.27 Po wniknięciu wirus infekuje komórki nabłonkowe, gdzie rozpoczyna się pierwsza faza replikacji.28

Białka receptorowe HVEM (herpes virus entry mediator) i nektyna-1 pośredniczą w wejściu HSV do podatnych komórek.29 Po przyłączeniu do receptorów na powierzchni komórek, wirus jest pobierany do wnętrza komórki i transportowany do jądra, gdzie następuje replikacja.30

Replikacja i rozprzestrzenianie się wirusa

Po początkowej replikacji lokalnej i wychwyceniu wirusa przez podatne leukocyty, następuje wiremia związana z komórkami, z wtórnym zakażeniem i replikacją w obrębie narządów docelowych, takich jak wątroba, nadnercza, skóra, błony śluzowe, spojówki i mózg.31

W zakażeniach rozsianych wirus rozprzestrzenia się do OUN głównie drogą krwionośną. Natomiast w przypadkach zlokalizowanych zakażeń OUN, wirus dociera do układu nerwowego głównie poprzez transport aksonalny wsteczny z miejsc obwodowych.32

Wewnątrz komórki gospodarza wirus replikuje się do dużej liczby kopii i zabija komórkę gospodarza. Charakterystycznymi cechami histopatologicznymi tkanek zakażonych HSV są martwica krwotoczna, wewnątrzjądrowe kwasochłonne ciałka wtrętowe, tworzenie komórek olbrzymich i nacieki limfocytarne.33

Odpowiedź immunologiczna gospodarza

U noworodków obserwuje się zaburzenia w produkcji mediatorów zapalnych w mózgu w porównaniu do dorosłych, co sugeruje, że dysregulacja odpowiedzi zapalnej przyczynia się do patogenezy HSV w OUN noworodka.34

Znaczące różnice w produkcji kilku mediatorów zapalnych zostały zmierzone w mózgach noworodków myszy typu dzikiego w porównaniu z dorosłymi myszami lub myszami z pojedynczym receptorem wyłączonym, co potwierdza koncepcję, że zaburzona odpowiedź zapalna przyczynia się do patogenezy HSV w OUN noworodka.35

Badania wskazują, że nawet niewielka ekspozycja na HSV we wczesnym okresie życia niemowlęcia może prowadzić do długoterminowych zaburzeń poznawczych.36 Nawet bezobjawowe zakażenia HSV u noworodków mogą przyczyniać się do długoterminowych uszkodzeń neurologicznych.37

Rola czynników molekularnych

Badania proteomiczne wykazały odrębne profile białkowe u noworodków z rozsianą chorobą HSV, z różnicami w 20 białkach w porównaniu do grupy kontrolnej. Białka te są związane z odpowiedzią immunologiczną wrodzoną i adaptacyjną oraz aktywacją cytokin.38

Wczesne etapy rozsianej choroby HSV charakteryzują się wyraźną produkcją cytokin, o czym świadczą znacznie podwyższone poziomy kilku cytokin zapalnych i szlaków zaanotowanych związanych z aktywacją cytokin.39

Zidentyfikowano również rzadkie warianty missense w czynniku regulacyjnym interferonu 7 (IRF7) i homologu UNC-93 B1 (UNC93B1), które mogą tłumić aktywność transkrypcyjną IRF3 zależną od TLR3 i odpowiedź interferonu typu I in vitro. Wyniki te sugerują, że mutacje szlaku TLR3 mogą predysponować noworodki do nawracających, ciężkich chorób HSV.40

Postaci kliniczne herpesu noworodkowego

Zakażenie HSV u noworodków może manifestować się w trzech głównych postaciach klinicznych, które nie są całkowicie wykluczające się wzajemnie:414243

Zakażenie ograniczone do skóry, oczu i jamy ustnej (SEM)

Ta forma stanowi około 45-60% przypadków herpesu noworodkowego. Charakteryzuje się występowaniem zmian pęcherzykowych na skórze, zapaleniem spojówek, owrzodzeniami błony śluzowej jamy ustnej, bez zajęcia narządów wewnętrznych lub ośrodkowego układu nerwowego.4445

Chociaż zgon jest rzadkością u noworodków z chorobą lokalną ograniczoną do skóry, oczu lub jamy ustnej, to bez leczenia wiele z tych noworodków postępuje do choroby rozsianej lub choroby OUN, która może być nierozpoznana.46

Zakażenie ośrodkowego układu nerwowego

Stanowi około 30-35% przypadków i może występować z zajęciem skóry, oczu i jamy ustnej lub bez niego. Charakteryzuje się zapaleniem mózgu z objawami neurologicznymi, pleocytozą płynu mózgowo-rdzeniowego i podwyższonym stężeniem białka.4748

Zakażenie OUN może prowadzić do poważnych powikłań neurologicznych, takich jak opóźnienia rozwojowe, deficyty poznawcze, porażenie mózgowe i padaczka.4950

Zakażenie rozsiane

Ta najcięższa postać stanowi około 20-25% przypadków i charakteryzuje się zajęciem wielu narządów, w tym wątroby, płuc, nadnerczy, serca, z lub bez zajęcia OUN. Manifestuje się jako sepsa noworodkowa z zapaleniem wątroby, zapaleniem płuc, zespołem rozsianego wykrzepiania wewnątrznaczyniowego.5152

Wskaźnik śmiertelności nieleczonej rozsianej choroby opryszczkowej wynosi 85%; wśród noworodków z nieleczonym zapaleniem mózgu wynosi około 50%. Bez leczenia co najmniej 65% osób, które przeżyły rozsianą chorobę lub zapalenie mózgu, ma ciężkie następstwa neurologiczne.53

Podwyższony poziom ferrytyny jako marker zakażenia

Hiperferrytynemia może występować w określonych zaburzeniach zapalnych, takich jak limfohistiocytoza hemofagocytarna (HLH), która może być wywołana przez zakażenie HSV. Zakażenie rozsiane lub ciężka dysfunkcja narządów również mogą być związane z hiperferrytynemią.54

Przypadki kliniczne podkreślają znaczenie utrzymywania wysokiego klinicznego wskaźnika podejrzenia zakażenia HSV u każdego gorączkującego noworodka, nawet przy braku wywiadu matczynego i negatywnej serologii, szczególnie jeśli towarzyszy mu hiperferrytynemia.55

Podwyższony poziom ferrytyny ma wiele przyczyn, w tym noworodkową HLH. Chociaż konkretny mechanizm pozostaje nieznany, rozsiane zakażenie HSV zostało zidentyfikowane jako czynnik wyzwalający noworodkową HLH.56

Podsumowanie mechanizmów patogenetycznych

Patogeneza herpesu noworodkowego jest złożonym procesem, który zależy od wielu czynników, zarówno ze strony wirusa, jak i gospodarza. Kluczowe elementy tego procesu to:57

  • Ładunek wirusa w momencie ekspozycji i konkretny szczep HSV
  • Przeciwciała matczyne, które mogą chronić przed ciężką chorobą rozsianą
  • Odpowiedź gospodarza ze strony układu odpornościowego noworodka, który wykazuje nieskuteczne odpowiedzi wrodzone i adaptacyjne
  • Droga zakażenia (wewnątrzmaciczna, okołoporodowa, poporodowa)
  • Rodzaj zakażenia u matki (pierwotne vs nawrotowe)
  • Czas trwania ekspozycji na wirusa
  • Predyspozycje genetyczne wpływające na odpowiedź immunologiczną

Zrozumienie tych mechanizmów ma kluczowe znaczenie dla właściwego rozpoznania, leczenia i zapobiegania opryszczce noworodkowej, która pozostaje poważnym problemem klinicznym ze względu na wysoką śmiertelność i długotrwałe następstwa u osób, które przeżyły.5859

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  1. 15.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3479667/
    Neonatal herpes, seen roughly in 1 of 3,000 live births in the United States, is the most serious manifestation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the perinatal period. […] Mother-to-neonate HSV transmission is most efficient when maternal genital tract HSV infection is acquired proximate to the time of delivery, signifying that neonatal herpes prevention strategies need to focus on decreasing the incidence of maternal infection during pregnancy and more precisely identifying infants most likely to benefit from prophylactic antiviral therapy. […] HSV occasionally gains access to the fetus via an ascending genital tract infection or transplacentally via chorionic villi. These in utero HSV infections can cause cataracts, pneumonitis, myocarditis, hepatosplenomegaly, chorioretinitis, encephalitis, hemolytic anemia, and growth and mental retardation.
  • #2 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infections | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0315/p1138.html
    Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections can result in serious morbidity and mortality. Many of the infections result from asymptomatic cervical shedding of virus after a primary episode of genital HSV in the third trimester. […] The incidence of infection is approximately one per 3,000 to 20,000 live births. A woman who experiences a primary episode of genital HSV during the third trimester and who has not completed seroconversion by the onset of labor has a 33 percent chance of transmitting the virus to her infant. In contrast, a woman experiencing a secondary reactivation of HSV during the intrapartum period has approximately a 3 percent chance of transmitting the virus to her infant. […] Many neonatal infections occur because of asymptomatic cervical shedding of virus, usually after a primary episode of HSV infection.
  • #3
    https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus
    Neonatal herpes can occur when an infant is exposed to HSV during delivery. Neonatal herpes is rare, occurring in an estimated 10 out of every 100,000 births globally. However, it is a serious condition that can lead to lasting neurologic disability or death. The risk for neonatal herpes is greatest when a mother acquires HSV for the first time in late pregnancy.
  • #4 Neonatal herpes (herpes in a baby)
    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/neonatal-herpes/
    Neonatal herpes is a herpes infection in a young baby. The younger the baby, the more vulnerable they are to the harmful effects of infection. […] Herpes can be very serious for a young baby, whose immune system will not have fully developed to fight off the virus. […] Neonatal herpes, which is rare in the UK, is caused by the herpes simplex virus. This virus is very common and causes cold sores and genital ulcers in adults. […] A baby is most at risk of getting a herpes infection in the first 4 weeks after birth. […] Because newborn babies have underdeveloped immune systems, they can quickly become seriously ill after catching the virus. […] Neonatal herpes is usually treated with antiviral medicines given directly into the baby’s vein (intravenously). […] Sometimes neonatal herpes will only affect the baby’s eyes, mouth or skin. […] But the condition is much more serious if it has spread to the baby’s organs. […] Many infants with this type of neonatal herpes will die, even after they have been treated. […] If widespread herpes is not treated immediately, there’s a high chance the baby will die.
  • #5 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection – Pediatrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection
    Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection is usually transmitted during delivery. A typical sign is vesicular eruption, which may be accompanied by or progress to disseminated disease. Diagnosis is by viral culture, polymerase chain reaction testing, immunofluorescence, or electron microscopy. Treatment is with high-dose parenteral acyclovir and supportive care. […] Neonatal HSV infection has high mortality and significant morbidity. Incidence in the United States is as high as approximately 1 in 2000 live births. HSV type 2 causes more cases than HSV type 1. […] HSV is usually transmitted during delivery through an infected maternal genital tract or contact with infectious vaginal fluid. Transplacental transmission of virus and hospital-acquired spread from one neonate to another by hospital personnel or family may account for some cases.
  • #6 Neonatal herpes encephalitis | MedLink Neurology
    https://www.medlink.com/articles/neonatal-herpes-encephalitis
    Neonatal herpes encephalitis is due to infection of the neonatal brain with herpes simplex virus. […] Most cases of neonatal herpes encephalitis are due to infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). […] Infants typically acquire the virus from the maternal genital tract during delivery. […] At the target organs, the virus is taken into cells and travels to the nucleus, where it replicates. […] Within the host cell, the virus replicates to high numbers and kills the host cell. […] Herpes simplex virus infection acquired in utero represents only about 4% of all neonatal herpes simplex virus infections. […] Virus may be transmitted to the fetus transplacentally, possibly by infected maternal leukocytes, or through tears in the amniotic membrane. […] In 86% of cases, infants acquire the virus during vaginal delivery from exposure to an infected, maternal genital tract.
  • #7 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infections | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0315/p1138.html
    The diagnosis of neonatal HSV can be difficult, but it should be suspected in any newborn with irritability, lethargy, fever or poor feeding at one week of age. Diagnosis is made by culturing the blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine and fluid from eyes, nose and mucous membranes. All newborns suspected to have or who are diagnosed with HSV infection should be treated with parenteral acyclovir. […] A neonatal HSV infection can be devastating to an infant. Most of these infections are caused by HSV-2, but 15 to 30 percent are found to be caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). […] The diagnosis of neonatal HSV can be difficult initially. The presentation is nonspecific, with signs and symptoms such as irritability, lethargy, fever or failure to feed at about one week of age. […] Diagnosis of an HSV infection in an infant requires a high index of suspicion because the history of an active infection, primary or secondary, in a mother is often not given. HSV infections should be considered in all neonates who present in the first month of life with nonspecific symptoms such as fever, poor feeding, lethargy or seizure.
  • #8 Herpes simplex virus infection in pregnancy and in neonate: status of art of epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy and prevention | Virology Journal | Full Text
    https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1743-422X-6-40
    The newborn could be also infected by HSV-1, that may represent almost one-third of all new genital HSV diagnoses. […] The disease transmission to the newborn is dependent on the type of maternal genital infection at the time of delivery. In fact, neonatal herpes is much more frequent (50%) in babies from mothers with a primary HSV infection respect to babies from mothers with recurrent HSV infection (3%). […] The clinical presentation of infants with neonatal HSV infection, that is almost invariably symptomatic and frequently lethal, is a direct reflection of the site and extent of viral replication. […] Despite the availability of antiviral drugs for treatment of neonatal HSV infections, the outcome remains poor, particularly for babies with disseminated multi-organ infections or manifestations of CNS.
  • #9 Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection: Clinical features and diagnosis – UpToDate
    https://www.uptodate.com/contents/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection-clinical-features-and-diagnosis
    Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection during pregnancy poses a significant risk to the developing fetus and newborn. Neonates can acquire HSV infection by intrauterine, perinatal, or postnatal transmission of the virus. Neonatal HSV infection causes serious morbidity and mortality and leaves many survivors with permanent sequelae. Strong clinical suspicion, timely diagnosis, and early antiviral treatment are critical to improving outcome. […] HSV is a member of the Herpesviridae family of viruses. It contains a double-stranded linear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) genome that consists of 150,000 base pairs that encode for more than 80 polypeptides, a capsid consisting of 162 capsomeres arranged in icosahedral symmetry that is covered by a tightly adherent membranous tegument, and an envelope consisting of 11 glycoproteins (gB, gC, gD, gE, gG, gH, gI, gJ, gK, gL, and gM), lipids, and polyamines that surrounds the viral nucleocapsid.
  • #10 Neonatal herpes – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonatal_herpes
    Neonatal herpes simplex, or simply neonatal herpes, is a herpes infection in a newborn baby, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It occurs mostly as a result of vertical transmission of the HSV from an affected mother to her baby. […] The cause is HSV 1 and 2. It can infect the unborn baby, but more often passes to the baby during childbirth. Onset is typically in the first six weeks after birth. The baby is at greater risk of being affected if the mother contracts HSV in later pregnancy. In such scenarios a prolonged rupture of membranes may increase the risk further. […] Sites of injury such as forceps or scalp electrodes may provide a portal of entry for HSV. […] The majority of cases (85%) occur during birth when the baby comes in contact with infected genital secretions in the birth canal, most common with mothers that have newly been exposed to the virus (mothers that had the virus before pregnancy have a lower risk of transmission). An estimated 5% are infected in utero, and approximately 10% of cases are acquired postnatally. Detection and prevention is difficult because transmission is asymptomatic in 60-98% of cases.
  • #11 Herpes Simplex Virus Infections of Women and Their Offspring: Implications for a Developed Society | Infectious Diseases in an Age of Change: The Impact of Human Ecology and Behavior on Disease Transmission | The National Academies Press
    https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/4772/chapter/13
    At least four factors influence the incidence of newborn HSV disease. The first is the type of maternal genital infection at the time of delivery. The incidence of neonatal herpes in babies born to women with primary or initial genital HSV infection is higher (33%) than those with recurrent infection (3%). […] The mother’s HSV antibody status at delivery influences the severity of maternal infection as well as the likelihood of transmission. […] The duration of ruptured membranes is an important indicator of risk for acquisition of neonatal HSV infection. […] The application of fetal scalp monitors in the labor and delivery suite increases the risk of neonatal HSV infection by providing a site of inoculation of virus. […] HSV infection of the newborn can be acquired at one of three times: in utero, intrapartum, or postpartum. The mother is the usual source of infection. Intrapartum transmission accounts for about 85% of all cases and results from direct contact of the fetus with infected maternal genital secretions at delivery. […] Importantly, 70% of infants who develop neonatal disease are born to women who are completely asymptomatic for genital HSV infections at the time of delivery and have neither a past history of genital herpes nor a sexual partner reporting a genital vesicular rash.
  • #12 Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection: Clinical features and diagnosis – UpToDate
    https://www.uptodate.com/contents/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection-clinical-features-and-diagnosis
    HSV enters the human host through inoculation of oral, genital, nasal, or conjunctival mucosa or breaks in skin. It can then infect the sensory nerve endings and spreads to the dorsal root ganglia, where it can remain for the life of the host, even after antiviral therapy. This is because latent virus is not susceptible to antiviral drugs. […] The fetus may be infected transplacentally or through retrograde spread through ruptured or seemingly intact membranes.
  • #13 Neonatal herpes encephalitis | MedLink Neurology
    https://www.medlink.com/articles/neonatal-herpes-encephalitis
    Neonatal herpes encephalitis is due to infection of the neonatal brain with herpes simplex virus. […] Most cases of neonatal herpes encephalitis are due to infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). […] Infants typically acquire the virus from the maternal genital tract during delivery. […] At the target organs, the virus is taken into cells and travels to the nucleus, where it replicates. […] Within the host cell, the virus replicates to high numbers and kills the host cell. […] Herpes simplex virus infection acquired in utero represents only about 4% of all neonatal herpes simplex virus infections. […] Virus may be transmitted to the fetus transplacentally, possibly by infected maternal leukocytes, or through tears in the amniotic membrane. […] In 86% of cases, infants acquire the virus during vaginal delivery from exposure to an infected, maternal genital tract.
  • #14 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection – Pediatrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection
    Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection is usually transmitted during delivery. A typical sign is vesicular eruption, which may be accompanied by or progress to disseminated disease. Diagnosis is by viral culture, polymerase chain reaction testing, immunofluorescence, or electron microscopy. Treatment is with high-dose parenteral acyclovir and supportive care. […] Neonatal HSV infection has high mortality and significant morbidity. Incidence in the United States is as high as approximately 1 in 2000 live births. HSV type 2 causes more cases than HSV type 1. […] HSV is usually transmitted during delivery through an infected maternal genital tract or contact with infectious vaginal fluid. Transplacental transmission of virus and hospital-acquired spread from one neonate to another by hospital personnel or family may account for some cases.
  • #15 Neonatal herpes encephalitis | MedLink Neurology
    https://www.medlink.com/articles/neonatal-herpes-encephalitis
    Neonatal herpes encephalitis is due to infection of the neonatal brain with herpes simplex virus. […] Most cases of neonatal herpes encephalitis are due to infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). […] Infants typically acquire the virus from the maternal genital tract during delivery. […] At the target organs, the virus is taken into cells and travels to the nucleus, where it replicates. […] Within the host cell, the virus replicates to high numbers and kills the host cell. […] Herpes simplex virus infection acquired in utero represents only about 4% of all neonatal herpes simplex virus infections. […] Virus may be transmitted to the fetus transplacentally, possibly by infected maternal leukocytes, or through tears in the amniotic membrane. […] In 86% of cases, infants acquire the virus during vaginal delivery from exposure to an infected, maternal genital tract.
  • #16 Neonatal herpes – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonatal_herpes
    Neonatal herpes simplex, or simply neonatal herpes, is a herpes infection in a newborn baby, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It occurs mostly as a result of vertical transmission of the HSV from an affected mother to her baby. […] The cause is HSV 1 and 2. It can infect the unborn baby, but more often passes to the baby during childbirth. Onset is typically in the first six weeks after birth. The baby is at greater risk of being affected if the mother contracts HSV in later pregnancy. In such scenarios a prolonged rupture of membranes may increase the risk further. […] Sites of injury such as forceps or scalp electrodes may provide a portal of entry for HSV. […] The majority of cases (85%) occur during birth when the baby comes in contact with infected genital secretions in the birth canal, most common with mothers that have newly been exposed to the virus (mothers that had the virus before pregnancy have a lower risk of transmission). An estimated 5% are infected in utero, and approximately 10% of cases are acquired postnatally. Detection and prevention is difficult because transmission is asymptomatic in 60-98% of cases.
  • #17 Herpes Simplex Virus Infections of Women and Their Offspring: Implications for a Developed Society | Infectious Diseases in an Age of Change: The Impact of Human Ecology and Behavior on Disease Transmission | The National Academies Press
    https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/4772/chapter/13
    At least four factors influence the incidence of newborn HSV disease. The first is the type of maternal genital infection at the time of delivery. The incidence of neonatal herpes in babies born to women with primary or initial genital HSV infection is higher (33%) than those with recurrent infection (3%). […] The mother’s HSV antibody status at delivery influences the severity of maternal infection as well as the likelihood of transmission. […] The duration of ruptured membranes is an important indicator of risk for acquisition of neonatal HSV infection. […] The application of fetal scalp monitors in the labor and delivery suite increases the risk of neonatal HSV infection by providing a site of inoculation of virus. […] HSV infection of the newborn can be acquired at one of three times: in utero, intrapartum, or postpartum. The mother is the usual source of infection. Intrapartum transmission accounts for about 85% of all cases and results from direct contact of the fetus with infected maternal genital secretions at delivery. […] Importantly, 70% of infants who develop neonatal disease are born to women who are completely asymptomatic for genital HSV infections at the time of delivery and have neither a past history of genital herpes nor a sexual partner reporting a genital vesicular rash.
  • #18 Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3479667/
    Although the overwhelming majority of neonatal herpes cases are perinatally acquired, the complex pathogenesis of this disease makes it is difficult to predict which passages through the maternal genital tract will result in productive infection. […] Consequently, any woman with genital tract HSV shedding at the time of delivery that concomitantly tests negative for HSV-specific serum antibodies should be considered at higher risk for neonatal HSV transmission, as the discordancy between these two diagnostic tests is consistent with recent acquisition of maternal infection. […] This enhanced transmission of neonatal herpes infection among women who acquire HSV at later gestational time points may be a consequence of one or more of the following factors: 1) reduced amount of time for passive transfer of HSV-specific antibodies from mother to fetus; 2) an exposure of the neonate to elevated HSV titers in the genital tract of recently infected women as the result of cervical secretions containing lesser amounts of HSV-specific neutralizing antibodies; and 3) an increased likelihood for perinatal exposure to HSV since recent acquisition of genital herpes infection is a significant risk factor for more frequent HSV reactivation from latency and shedding. […] In addition to close temporal proximity between maternal infection and parturition as a risk factor for neonatal herpes, there appears to differential efficiency of transmission between HSV subtypes.
  • #19 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infections | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0315/p1138.html
    Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections can result in serious morbidity and mortality. Many of the infections result from asymptomatic cervical shedding of virus after a primary episode of genital HSV in the third trimester. […] The incidence of infection is approximately one per 3,000 to 20,000 live births. A woman who experiences a primary episode of genital HSV during the third trimester and who has not completed seroconversion by the onset of labor has a 33 percent chance of transmitting the virus to her infant. In contrast, a woman experiencing a secondary reactivation of HSV during the intrapartum period has approximately a 3 percent chance of transmitting the virus to her infant. […] Many neonatal infections occur because of asymptomatic cervical shedding of virus, usually after a primary episode of HSV infection.
  • #20 Herpes simplex virus infection in pregnancy and in neonate: status of art of epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy and prevention | Virology Journal | Full Text
    https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1743-422X-6-40
    The newborn could be also infected by HSV-1, that may represent almost one-third of all new genital HSV diagnoses. […] The disease transmission to the newborn is dependent on the type of maternal genital infection at the time of delivery. In fact, neonatal herpes is much more frequent (50%) in babies from mothers with a primary HSV infection respect to babies from mothers with recurrent HSV infection (3%). […] The clinical presentation of infants with neonatal HSV infection, that is almost invariably symptomatic and frequently lethal, is a direct reflection of the site and extent of viral replication. […] Despite the availability of antiviral drugs for treatment of neonatal HSV infections, the outcome remains poor, particularly for babies with disseminated multi-organ infections or manifestations of CNS.
  • #21 Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3479667/
    Although the overwhelming majority of neonatal herpes cases are perinatally acquired, the complex pathogenesis of this disease makes it is difficult to predict which passages through the maternal genital tract will result in productive infection. […] Consequently, any woman with genital tract HSV shedding at the time of delivery that concomitantly tests negative for HSV-specific serum antibodies should be considered at higher risk for neonatal HSV transmission, as the discordancy between these two diagnostic tests is consistent with recent acquisition of maternal infection. […] This enhanced transmission of neonatal herpes infection among women who acquire HSV at later gestational time points may be a consequence of one or more of the following factors: 1) reduced amount of time for passive transfer of HSV-specific antibodies from mother to fetus; 2) an exposure of the neonate to elevated HSV titers in the genital tract of recently infected women as the result of cervical secretions containing lesser amounts of HSV-specific neutralizing antibodies; and 3) an increased likelihood for perinatal exposure to HSV since recent acquisition of genital herpes infection is a significant risk factor for more frequent HSV reactivation from latency and shedding. […] In addition to close temporal proximity between maternal infection and parturition as a risk factor for neonatal herpes, there appears to differential efficiency of transmission between HSV subtypes.
  • #22 Herpes Simplex Virus Infections of Women and Their Offspring: Implications for a Developed Society | Infectious Diseases in an Age of Change: The Impact of Human Ecology and Behavior on Disease Transmission | The National Academies Press
    https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/4772/chapter/13
    At least four factors influence the incidence of newborn HSV disease. The first is the type of maternal genital infection at the time of delivery. The incidence of neonatal herpes in babies born to women with primary or initial genital HSV infection is higher (33%) than those with recurrent infection (3%). […] The mother’s HSV antibody status at delivery influences the severity of maternal infection as well as the likelihood of transmission. […] The duration of ruptured membranes is an important indicator of risk for acquisition of neonatal HSV infection. […] The application of fetal scalp monitors in the labor and delivery suite increases the risk of neonatal HSV infection by providing a site of inoculation of virus. […] HSV infection of the newborn can be acquired at one of three times: in utero, intrapartum, or postpartum. The mother is the usual source of infection. Intrapartum transmission accounts for about 85% of all cases and results from direct contact of the fetus with infected maternal genital secretions at delivery. […] Importantly, 70% of infants who develop neonatal disease are born to women who are completely asymptomatic for genital HSV infections at the time of delivery and have neither a past history of genital herpes nor a sexual partner reporting a genital vesicular rash.
  • #23 Herpes Simplex Virus Infections of Women and Their Offspring: Implications for a Developed Society | Infectious Diseases in an Age of Change: The Impact of Human Ecology and Behavior on Disease Transmission | The National Academies Press
    https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/4772/chapter/13
    At least four factors influence the incidence of newborn HSV disease. The first is the type of maternal genital infection at the time of delivery. The incidence of neonatal herpes in babies born to women with primary or initial genital HSV infection is higher (33%) than those with recurrent infection (3%). […] The mother’s HSV antibody status at delivery influences the severity of maternal infection as well as the likelihood of transmission. […] The duration of ruptured membranes is an important indicator of risk for acquisition of neonatal HSV infection. […] The application of fetal scalp monitors in the labor and delivery suite increases the risk of neonatal HSV infection by providing a site of inoculation of virus. […] HSV infection of the newborn can be acquired at one of three times: in utero, intrapartum, or postpartum. The mother is the usual source of infection. Intrapartum transmission accounts for about 85% of all cases and results from direct contact of the fetus with infected maternal genital secretions at delivery. […] Importantly, 70% of infants who develop neonatal disease are born to women who are completely asymptomatic for genital HSV infections at the time of delivery and have neither a past history of genital herpes nor a sexual partner reporting a genital vesicular rash.
  • #24 Neonatal herpes – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonatal_herpes
    Neonatal herpes simplex, or simply neonatal herpes, is a herpes infection in a newborn baby, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It occurs mostly as a result of vertical transmission of the HSV from an affected mother to her baby. […] The cause is HSV 1 and 2. It can infect the unborn baby, but more often passes to the baby during childbirth. Onset is typically in the first six weeks after birth. The baby is at greater risk of being affected if the mother contracts HSV in later pregnancy. In such scenarios a prolonged rupture of membranes may increase the risk further. […] Sites of injury such as forceps or scalp electrodes may provide a portal of entry for HSV. […] The majority of cases (85%) occur during birth when the baby comes in contact with infected genital secretions in the birth canal, most common with mothers that have newly been exposed to the virus (mothers that had the virus before pregnancy have a lower risk of transmission). An estimated 5% are infected in utero, and approximately 10% of cases are acquired postnatally. Detection and prevention is difficult because transmission is asymptomatic in 60-98% of cases.
  • #25 Herpes Simplex Virus Infections of Women and Their Offspring: Implications for a Developed Society | Infectious Diseases in an Age of Change: The Impact of Human Ecology and Behavior on Disease Transmission | The National Academies Press
    https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/4772/chapter/13
    At least four factors influence the incidence of newborn HSV disease. The first is the type of maternal genital infection at the time of delivery. The incidence of neonatal herpes in babies born to women with primary or initial genital HSV infection is higher (33%) than those with recurrent infection (3%). […] The mother’s HSV antibody status at delivery influences the severity of maternal infection as well as the likelihood of transmission. […] The duration of ruptured membranes is an important indicator of risk for acquisition of neonatal HSV infection. […] The application of fetal scalp monitors in the labor and delivery suite increases the risk of neonatal HSV infection by providing a site of inoculation of virus. […] HSV infection of the newborn can be acquired at one of three times: in utero, intrapartum, or postpartum. The mother is the usual source of infection. Intrapartum transmission accounts for about 85% of all cases and results from direct contact of the fetus with infected maternal genital secretions at delivery. […] Importantly, 70% of infants who develop neonatal disease are born to women who are completely asymptomatic for genital HSV infections at the time of delivery and have neither a past history of genital herpes nor a sexual partner reporting a genital vesicular rash.
  • #26 Neonatal herpes encephalitis | MedLink Neurology
    https://www.medlink.com/articles/neonatal-herpes-encephalitis
    Initial local replication and uptake of the virus by susceptible leukocytes is followed by cell-associated viremia with secondary infection of and replication within primary target organs such as liver, adrenal gland, skin, mucous membranes, conjunctiva, and brain. […] Once herpes simplex virus reaches susceptible target organs, the virus attaches to cell surfaces by specific receptor site binding. […] The virus is then taken inside the cell and transported to the nucleus, where the virus replicates. […] In disseminated infections, the virus spreads to CNS mostly hematogenously. […] In contrast, in cases of localized CNS infections, the virus reaches the CNS principally through retrograde axonal transport of virus from peripheral sites. […] Hemorrhagic necrosis, intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions, giant cell formation, and lymphocytic infiltrates are characteristic histopathologic features of herpes simplex virus-infected tissue.
  • #27 Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection: Clinical features and diagnosis – UpToDate
    https://www.uptodate.com/contents/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection-clinical-features-and-diagnosis
    HSV enters the human host through inoculation of oral, genital, nasal, or conjunctival mucosa or breaks in skin. It can then infect the sensory nerve endings and spreads to the dorsal root ganglia, where it can remain for the life of the host, even after antiviral therapy. This is because latent virus is not susceptible to antiviral drugs. […] The fetus may be infected transplacentally or through retrograde spread through ruptured or seemingly intact membranes.
  • #28 Neonatal herpes encephalitis | MedLink Neurology
    https://www.medlink.com/articles/neonatal-herpes-encephalitis
    Initial local replication and uptake of the virus by susceptible leukocytes is followed by cell-associated viremia with secondary infection of and replication within primary target organs such as liver, adrenal gland, skin, mucous membranes, conjunctiva, and brain. […] Once herpes simplex virus reaches susceptible target organs, the virus attaches to cell surfaces by specific receptor site binding. […] The virus is then taken inside the cell and transported to the nucleus, where the virus replicates. […] In disseminated infections, the virus spreads to CNS mostly hematogenously. […] In contrast, in cases of localized CNS infections, the virus reaches the CNS principally through retrograde axonal transport of virus from peripheral sites. […] Hemorrhagic necrosis, intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions, giant cell formation, and lymphocytic infiltrates are characteristic histopathologic features of herpes simplex virus-infected tissue.
  • #29 Herpes simplex virus serotype and entry receptor availability alter CNS disease in a mouse model of neonatal HSV | Pediatric Research
    https://www.nature.com/articles/pr2014135
    Outcomes of neonates with herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis are worse after infection with HSV-2 when compared with HSV-1. […] The proteins herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) and nectin-1 mediate HSV entry into susceptible cells. […] Dysregulation of inflammatory responses induced by infection may influence the severity of HSV encephalitis. […] Newborns under 1 mo of age are the human population at highest risk of severe HSV disease, and a variety of host and viral factors may contribute to this risk. […] Differences in responses of newborns compared with older children and adults likely contribute to increased susceptibility. […] The mouse entry receptors for HSV are orthologous to the human entry receptors, allowing mice mutated for specific HSV entry receptors to be studied as models for HSV entry requirements in disease.
  • #30 Neonatal herpes encephalitis | MedLink Neurology
    https://www.medlink.com/articles/neonatal-herpes-encephalitis
    Initial local replication and uptake of the virus by susceptible leukocytes is followed by cell-associated viremia with secondary infection of and replication within primary target organs such as liver, adrenal gland, skin, mucous membranes, conjunctiva, and brain. […] Once herpes simplex virus reaches susceptible target organs, the virus attaches to cell surfaces by specific receptor site binding. […] The virus is then taken inside the cell and transported to the nucleus, where the virus replicates. […] In disseminated infections, the virus spreads to CNS mostly hematogenously. […] In contrast, in cases of localized CNS infections, the virus reaches the CNS principally through retrograde axonal transport of virus from peripheral sites. […] Hemorrhagic necrosis, intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions, giant cell formation, and lymphocytic infiltrates are characteristic histopathologic features of herpes simplex virus-infected tissue.
  • #31 Neonatal herpes encephalitis | MedLink Neurology
    https://www.medlink.com/articles/neonatal-herpes-encephalitis
    Initial local replication and uptake of the virus by susceptible leukocytes is followed by cell-associated viremia with secondary infection of and replication within primary target organs such as liver, adrenal gland, skin, mucous membranes, conjunctiva, and brain. […] Once herpes simplex virus reaches susceptible target organs, the virus attaches to cell surfaces by specific receptor site binding. […] The virus is then taken inside the cell and transported to the nucleus, where the virus replicates. […] In disseminated infections, the virus spreads to CNS mostly hematogenously. […] In contrast, in cases of localized CNS infections, the virus reaches the CNS principally through retrograde axonal transport of virus from peripheral sites. […] Hemorrhagic necrosis, intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions, giant cell formation, and lymphocytic infiltrates are characteristic histopathologic features of herpes simplex virus-infected tissue.
  • #32 Neonatal herpes encephalitis | MedLink Neurology
    https://www.medlink.com/articles/neonatal-herpes-encephalitis
    Initial local replication and uptake of the virus by susceptible leukocytes is followed by cell-associated viremia with secondary infection of and replication within primary target organs such as liver, adrenal gland, skin, mucous membranes, conjunctiva, and brain. […] Once herpes simplex virus reaches susceptible target organs, the virus attaches to cell surfaces by specific receptor site binding. […] The virus is then taken inside the cell and transported to the nucleus, where the virus replicates. […] In disseminated infections, the virus spreads to CNS mostly hematogenously. […] In contrast, in cases of localized CNS infections, the virus reaches the CNS principally through retrograde axonal transport of virus from peripheral sites. […] Hemorrhagic necrosis, intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions, giant cell formation, and lymphocytic infiltrates are characteristic histopathologic features of herpes simplex virus-infected tissue.
  • #33 Neonatal herpes encephalitis | MedLink Neurology
    https://www.medlink.com/articles/neonatal-herpes-encephalitis
    Initial local replication and uptake of the virus by susceptible leukocytes is followed by cell-associated viremia with secondary infection of and replication within primary target organs such as liver, adrenal gland, skin, mucous membranes, conjunctiva, and brain. […] Once herpes simplex virus reaches susceptible target organs, the virus attaches to cell surfaces by specific receptor site binding. […] The virus is then taken inside the cell and transported to the nucleus, where the virus replicates. […] In disseminated infections, the virus spreads to CNS mostly hematogenously. […] In contrast, in cases of localized CNS infections, the virus reaches the CNS principally through retrograde axonal transport of virus from peripheral sites. […] Hemorrhagic necrosis, intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions, giant cell formation, and lymphocytic infiltrates are characteristic histopathologic features of herpes simplex virus-infected tissue.
  • #34 Herpes simplex virus serotype and entry receptor availability alter CNS disease in a mouse model of neonatal HSV | Pediatric Research
    https://www.nature.com/articles/pr2014135
    Significant differences in the production of several inflammatory mediators were measured in the brains of wild-type (WT) newborn mice when compared with either adult mice or single receptor-knockout mice, supporting the concept that a dysregulated inflammatory response contributes to HSV pathogenesis in the newborn CNS. […] Our observation of serotype-dependent differences in pathogenesis in newborn but not adult mice held for both wild-type and single receptor KO mice, with relatively attenuated mortality from HSV-1 as compared with HSV-2. […] Together, the suggestion from these observations is that HVEM-expressing cells in the CNS of newborns support infection and replication equally or better for HSV-1 than for HSV-2, but serotype-related differences in the responses of these cells to infection may alter the outcome of encephalitis in the newborn brain. […] We have also found dysregulated production of inflammatory mediators in the CNS of newborn mice, consistent with prior observations in immune-deficient adult mice.
  • #35 Herpes simplex virus serotype and entry receptor availability alter CNS disease in a mouse model of neonatal HSV | Pediatric Research
    https://www.nature.com/articles/pr2014135
    Significant differences in the production of several inflammatory mediators were measured in the brains of wild-type (WT) newborn mice when compared with either adult mice or single receptor-knockout mice, supporting the concept that a dysregulated inflammatory response contributes to HSV pathogenesis in the newborn CNS. […] Our observation of serotype-dependent differences in pathogenesis in newborn but not adult mice held for both wild-type and single receptor KO mice, with relatively attenuated mortality from HSV-1 as compared with HSV-2. […] Together, the suggestion from these observations is that HVEM-expressing cells in the CNS of newborns support infection and replication equally or better for HSV-1 than for HSV-2, but serotype-related differences in the responses of these cells to infection may alter the outcome of encephalitis in the newborn brain. […] We have also found dysregulated production of inflammatory mediators in the CNS of newborn mice, consistent with prior observations in immune-deficient adult mice.
  • #36 Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections may lead to long-term cognitive impairment, research shows
    https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-infections.html
    Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections may lead to long-term cognitive impairment, research shows. […] Very early exposure to even a very small dose of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in infant mice can lead to cognitive decline later in life, according to findings from a new Dartmouth-led study. […] HSV infections are very common, typically affecting the skin and the nervous system. While these infections often lay dormant in the body and usually don’t pose serious health risks, HSV can be much more dangerous for those with underdeveloped immune systems such as newborns. Neonatal HSV, which is associated with high rates of disease and death, affects about 14,000 newborns worldwide each year. […] Clinical outcomes of neonatal HSV infections, where symptoms have been readily apparent, have been well-studied. But little has been known about the frequency of, or outcomes following, asymptomatic neonatal HSV and how it may contribute to long-term neurological damage.
  • #37 Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections may lead to long-term cognitive impairment, research shows
    https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-infections.html
    To assess potential neurological outcomes associated with asymptomatic neonatal HSV infections, with no overt signs of infection present, the research team developed a very low-dose intranasal HSV infection model. […] What Abby and Evelyn discovered was that mice who had received a miniscule dose of HSV when they were a day old, weren’t able to learn as well as those that were in the control group and were uninfected. […] On a more positive note, the team, building on work previously done at Dartmouth, was able to show that maternal vaccination (in mice) can prevent this cognitive decline. […] In any case, I think the outstanding work done by Abby, Evelyn, and our team in this study shows that maternal vaccination could be an effective strategy for reducing neurological impairment in infected offspring. […] And that our findings may have profound implications for understanding and modeling human neurogenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
  • #38 Proteomic profiling of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection on dried blood spots | Communications Medicine
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-024-00711-8
    Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is life-threatening, with a mortality of up to 7080% when disseminated, often due to vague symptoms and delayed treatment. […] Here, we show distinct protein profiles in neonates with disseminated HSV disease, with differences in 20 proteins compared to controls. These proteins are associated with innate and adaptive immune responses and cytokine activation. […] Our findings indicate the potential of neonatal screening for disseminated HSV disease to ensure early treatment and reduce the high mortality. […] Early diagnosis of neonatal HSV infection is difficult because maternal genital herpes is often asymptomatic and the neonatal symptoms vague, particularly in the early stages of infection. […] Factors that may contribute to the clinical variability of neonatal HSV infection include (1) viral load at the time of exposure and the specific type of HSV strain involved, (2) maternal antibodies which may protect against severe disseminated disease, and (3) the host response of the neonatal immune system, which exhibits ineffective innate and adaptive responses.
  • #39 Proteomic profiling of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection on dried blood spots | Communications Medicine
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-024-00711-8
    Our results suggest that the early stages of disseminated HSV disease are characterised by a pronounced cytokine production, as evidenced by the significantly elevated levels of several inflammatory cytokines and annotated pathways associated with cytokine activation. […] The absence of significantly elevated or reduced proteins in CNS disease may reflect that at the time of DBS sample collection, the infection had yet to be established, resulting in no detectable immune activation. […] We identified candidate proteins that could serve as early diagnostic markers in neonates with disseminated disease using DBS samples. […] Our findings indicate the potential of neonatal screening for disseminated HSV disease to ensure early treatment and reduce the high mortality.
  • #40
    https://www.jci.org/articles/view/154016
    Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a devastating disease with substantial morbidity and mortality. […] We evaluated a male infant with neonatal skin/eye/mouth (SEM) HSV-1 disease, who had complete recovery after acyclovir but developed HSV-1 encephalitis at 1 year of age. […] An immune workup showed an anergic PBMC cytokine response to TLR3 stimulation but no other TLRs. […] Exome sequencing identified rare missense variants in IFN-regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) and UNC-93 homolog B1 (UNC93B1). […] Functional studies in fibroblasts and human leukemia monocytic THP1 cells showed that both variants individually suppressed TLR3-driven IRF3 transcriptional activity and the type I IFN response in vitro. […] This study reports an infant with recurrent HSV-1 disease complicated by encephalitis associated with deleterious variants in the IRF7 and UNC93B1 genes. […] Our results suggest that TLR3 pathway mutations may predispose neonates to recurrent, severe HSV.
  • #41 Neonatal herpes – Don’t Forget the Bubbles
    https://dontforgetthebubbles.com/neonatal-herpes/
    Disease caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 can have devastating consequences. […] Neonatal herpes acquired peri- or post-partum causes three different types of disease entities which are not entirely mutually exclusive: […] Neonatal herpes can predispose to dermal recurrences in the future, for which prophylaxis may be necessary. Neonatal herpes also increases the risk of autoimmune encephalitis. […] Neonatal herpes is rare, but its consequences can be devastating; awareness of the disease and its varying presentations, and testing when you suspect it, is therefore essential.
  • #42 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection – Pediatrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection
    Neonates with localized disease can be divided into 2 groups. One group has encephalitis manifested by neurologic findings, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, and elevated protein concentration, with or without concomitant involvement of the skin, eyes, and mouth. The other group has only skin, eye, and mouth involvement and no evidence of CNS or organ disease. […] Neonates with disseminated disease and visceral organ involvement have hepatitis, pneumonitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or a combination, with or without encephalitis or skin disease. […] Acyclovir should be started immediately and presumptively in suspected cases while awaiting confirmatory diagnostic tests. Infants with disseminated and/or CNS disease are given acyclovir for 21 days. […] The mortality rate of untreated disseminated herpes simplex disease is 85%; among neonates with untreated encephalitis, it is approximately 50%. Without treatment, at least 65% of survivors of disseminated disease or encephalitis have severe neurologic sequelae. Appropriate treatment, including parenteral acyclovir, decreases the mortality rate in CNS and disseminated disease by 50% and significantly increases the percentage of children who develop normally.
  • #43 Genital herpes guide: Risk factors and clinical manifestations – Canada.ca
    https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/herpes-simplex-virus/risk-factors-clinical-manifestation.html
    Most neonatal herpes infections present after a seemingly healthy neonate has left the hospital. Initial symptoms usually present by 4 weeks of age, but occasionally don’t present until 4 to 6 weeks of age. […] Typical presentations include vesicular rash, sepsis-like manifestations and seizures. Infection can be localized to skin, eyes, or mouth (60% of infants); involve the central nervous system with or without skin infection (23% of infants); or involve multiple organs and systems as a result of disseminated infection (17% of infants). […] Without treatment, nearly 60% of infants with HSV will die. Approximately 70% of untreated infants with herpes encephalitis will experience severe or fatal complications. In a Canadian study, almost 40% of treated infants had neurologic damage.
  • #44 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection – Pediatrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection
    Neonates with localized disease can be divided into 2 groups. One group has encephalitis manifested by neurologic findings, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, and elevated protein concentration, with or without concomitant involvement of the skin, eyes, and mouth. The other group has only skin, eye, and mouth involvement and no evidence of CNS or organ disease. […] Neonates with disseminated disease and visceral organ involvement have hepatitis, pneumonitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or a combination, with or without encephalitis or skin disease. […] Acyclovir should be started immediately and presumptively in suspected cases while awaiting confirmatory diagnostic tests. Infants with disseminated and/or CNS disease are given acyclovir for 21 days. […] The mortality rate of untreated disseminated herpes simplex disease is 85%; among neonates with untreated encephalitis, it is approximately 50%. Without treatment, at least 65% of survivors of disseminated disease or encephalitis have severe neurologic sequelae. Appropriate treatment, including parenteral acyclovir, decreases the mortality rate in CNS and disseminated disease by 50% and significantly increases the percentage of children who develop normally.
  • #45 Genital herpes guide: Risk factors and clinical manifestations – Canada.ca
    https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/herpes-simplex-virus/risk-factors-clinical-manifestation.html
    Most neonatal herpes infections present after a seemingly healthy neonate has left the hospital. Initial symptoms usually present by 4 weeks of age, but occasionally don’t present until 4 to 6 weeks of age. […] Typical presentations include vesicular rash, sepsis-like manifestations and seizures. Infection can be localized to skin, eyes, or mouth (60% of infants); involve the central nervous system with or without skin infection (23% of infants); or involve multiple organs and systems as a result of disseminated infection (17% of infants). […] Without treatment, nearly 60% of infants with HSV will die. Approximately 70% of untreated infants with herpes encephalitis will experience severe or fatal complications. In a Canadian study, almost 40% of treated infants had neurologic damage.
  • #46 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection – Pediatrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection
    Death is uncommon in neonates with local disease limited to the skin, eyes, or mouth. However, without treatment, many of these neonates progress to disseminated disease or CNS disease that may be unrecognized. […] Efforts to prevent neonatal transmission have not been very effective. Universal screening has not been recommended or shown to be effective, and most maternal infections with risk of transmission are asymptomatic. […] Neonatal herpes infection may be localized to the skin, eyes, or mouth, the central nervous system, or may be disseminated. Encephalitis and disseminated disease have a high mortality rate, and neurologic sequelae are common among survivors.
  • #47 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection – Pediatrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection
    Neonates with localized disease can be divided into 2 groups. One group has encephalitis manifested by neurologic findings, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, and elevated protein concentration, with or without concomitant involvement of the skin, eyes, and mouth. The other group has only skin, eye, and mouth involvement and no evidence of CNS or organ disease. […] Neonates with disseminated disease and visceral organ involvement have hepatitis, pneumonitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or a combination, with or without encephalitis or skin disease. […] Acyclovir should be started immediately and presumptively in suspected cases while awaiting confirmatory diagnostic tests. Infants with disseminated and/or CNS disease are given acyclovir for 21 days. […] The mortality rate of untreated disseminated herpes simplex disease is 85%; among neonates with untreated encephalitis, it is approximately 50%. Without treatment, at least 65% of survivors of disseminated disease or encephalitis have severe neurologic sequelae. Appropriate treatment, including parenteral acyclovir, decreases the mortality rate in CNS and disseminated disease by 50% and significantly increases the percentage of children who develop normally.
  • #48 Genital herpes guide: Risk factors and clinical manifestations – Canada.ca
    https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/herpes-simplex-virus/risk-factors-clinical-manifestation.html
    Most neonatal herpes infections present after a seemingly healthy neonate has left the hospital. Initial symptoms usually present by 4 weeks of age, but occasionally don’t present until 4 to 6 weeks of age. […] Typical presentations include vesicular rash, sepsis-like manifestations and seizures. Infection can be localized to skin, eyes, or mouth (60% of infants); involve the central nervous system with or without skin infection (23% of infants); or involve multiple organs and systems as a result of disseminated infection (17% of infants). […] Without treatment, nearly 60% of infants with HSV will die. Approximately 70% of untreated infants with herpes encephalitis will experience severe or fatal complications. In a Canadian study, almost 40% of treated infants had neurologic damage.
  • #49 Congenital Herpes Simplex – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507897/
    Early initiation of antiviral therapy (eg, acyclovir) is paramount to improving outcomes, and prompt intervention is associated with a better prognosis. […] Congenital HSV infection can lead to a spectrum of complications, reflecting the virus’s propensity for neural tissue and its capacity to disseminate to various organs. Among the most serious complications is the potential for central nervous system involvement, including encephalitis, which may result in neurological impairment, developmental delays, and long-term cognitive deficits.
  • #50 Neonatal herpes simplex encephalitis | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org
    https://radiopaedia.org/articles/neonatal-herpes-simplex-encephalitis
    Neonatal herpes simplex encephalitis is caused by vertical transmission of infection during passage from birth canal with diffuse cerebral involvement within the first month after birth; in contrast to adult herpes simplex encephalitis, it is commonly related to HSV-2. […] The diagnosis is confirmed by detection of HSV DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid. […] Neonatal herpes simplex encephalitis is highly lethal (in about 50% of cases) and can cause permanent disability if left untreated. […] Treatment is with intravenous antivirals (acyclovir is usually the drug of choice). […] Sequelae are mostly seen in neurodevelopment, including deafness, vision loss, cerebral palsy, and seizure.
  • #51 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection – Pediatrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection
    Neonates with localized disease can be divided into 2 groups. One group has encephalitis manifested by neurologic findings, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, and elevated protein concentration, with or without concomitant involvement of the skin, eyes, and mouth. The other group has only skin, eye, and mouth involvement and no evidence of CNS or organ disease. […] Neonates with disseminated disease and visceral organ involvement have hepatitis, pneumonitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or a combination, with or without encephalitis or skin disease. […] Acyclovir should be started immediately and presumptively in suspected cases while awaiting confirmatory diagnostic tests. Infants with disseminated and/or CNS disease are given acyclovir for 21 days. […] The mortality rate of untreated disseminated herpes simplex disease is 85%; among neonates with untreated encephalitis, it is approximately 50%. Without treatment, at least 65% of survivors of disseminated disease or encephalitis have severe neurologic sequelae. Appropriate treatment, including parenteral acyclovir, decreases the mortality rate in CNS and disseminated disease by 50% and significantly increases the percentage of children who develop normally.
  • #52 Genital herpes guide: Risk factors and clinical manifestations – Canada.ca
    https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/herpes-simplex-virus/risk-factors-clinical-manifestation.html
    Most neonatal herpes infections present after a seemingly healthy neonate has left the hospital. Initial symptoms usually present by 4 weeks of age, but occasionally don’t present until 4 to 6 weeks of age. […] Typical presentations include vesicular rash, sepsis-like manifestations and seizures. Infection can be localized to skin, eyes, or mouth (60% of infants); involve the central nervous system with or without skin infection (23% of infants); or involve multiple organs and systems as a result of disseminated infection (17% of infants). […] Without treatment, nearly 60% of infants with HSV will die. Approximately 70% of untreated infants with herpes encephalitis will experience severe or fatal complications. In a Canadian study, almost 40% of treated infants had neurologic damage.
  • #53 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection – Pediatrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection
    Neonates with localized disease can be divided into 2 groups. One group has encephalitis manifested by neurologic findings, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, and elevated protein concentration, with or without concomitant involvement of the skin, eyes, and mouth. The other group has only skin, eye, and mouth involvement and no evidence of CNS or organ disease. […] Neonates with disseminated disease and visceral organ involvement have hepatitis, pneumonitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or a combination, with or without encephalitis or skin disease. […] Acyclovir should be started immediately and presumptively in suspected cases while awaiting confirmatory diagnostic tests. Infants with disseminated and/or CNS disease are given acyclovir for 21 days. […] The mortality rate of untreated disseminated herpes simplex disease is 85%; among neonates with untreated encephalitis, it is approximately 50%. Without treatment, at least 65% of survivors of disseminated disease or encephalitis have severe neurologic sequelae. Appropriate treatment, including parenteral acyclovir, decreases the mortality rate in CNS and disseminated disease by 50% and significantly increases the percentage of children who develop normally.
  • #54 Prolonged fever and hyperferritinaemia: a puzzling diagnosis of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection during COVID-19 pandemic | BMJ Case Reports
    https://casereports.bmj.com/content/14/3/e241405
    Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is rare, with an estimated incidence of 3.58 per 100 000 live births in the UK and should be suspected in any newborn with fever and bacterial culture-negative sepsis. […] Neonatal HSV infection still poses a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians considering advances in diagnostic methods. It is challenging to diagnose neonatal herpes infection when typical skin lesions are absent. […] Neonatal HSV infection can be classified into three main types: localised skin, eye and mouth (SEM); Central Nervous System (CNS) with or without SEM and disseminated infection. Disseminated type is considered when neonates present with negative culture sepsis-like syndrome associated with severe hepatic impairment and or consumptive coagulopathy. […] Hyperferritinaemia can be found in particular inflammatory disorders such as haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) that could be induced by infection with HSV. Disseminated infection or severe organ dysfunction may also be associated with hyperferritinaemia.
  • #55 Prolonged fever and hyperferritinaemia: a puzzling diagnosis of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection during COVID-19 pandemic | BMJ Case Reports
    https://casereports.bmj.com/content/14/3/e241405
    This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high clinical index of suspicion of HSV infection in any febrile neonate even with absence of maternal history and negative serology, particularly if associated with hyperferritinaemia. […] HSV has two main types, 1 and 2. Both can cause neonatal infection, which usually occurs when the baby is exposed to infected maternal secretions at the time of delivery, post-natal or less commonly in-utero. […] This situation makes the diagnosis even more challenging as newborns often present with non-specific and subtle clinical findings, making a timely and accurate diagnosis of infection critical, particularly as disseminated neonatal HSV is associated with almost 30% mortality. […] Our patient had negative HSV serology, however, if there is hepatic dysfunction of unclear aetiology, empiric therapy with acyclovir is reasonable to be initiated due to the possible severity of HSV hepatitis.
  • #56 Prolonged fever and hyperferritinaemia: a puzzling diagnosis of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection during COVID-19 pandemic | BMJ Case Reports
    https://casereports.bmj.com/content/14/3/e241405
    Elevated ferritin level has a number of causes, including neonatal HLH. Although the specific mechanism remains unknown, disseminated HSV infection has been identified as a trigger of neonatal HLH. […] To conclude, neonatal HSV infection can have various presentations from local to disseminated, which can overlap with HLH clinically and biochemically. The incidental finding of hyperferritinaemia, which would not usually be tested for, was revealed as a consequence of a standardised COVID-19 blood panel, which along with the raised ALT were simply the consequence of hepatocyte damage due to disseminated infection.
  • #57 Proteomic profiling of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection on dried blood spots | Communications Medicine
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-024-00711-8
    Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is life-threatening, with a mortality of up to 7080% when disseminated, often due to vague symptoms and delayed treatment. […] Here, we show distinct protein profiles in neonates with disseminated HSV disease, with differences in 20 proteins compared to controls. These proteins are associated with innate and adaptive immune responses and cytokine activation. […] Our findings indicate the potential of neonatal screening for disseminated HSV disease to ensure early treatment and reduce the high mortality. […] Early diagnosis of neonatal HSV infection is difficult because maternal genital herpes is often asymptomatic and the neonatal symptoms vague, particularly in the early stages of infection. […] Factors that may contribute to the clinical variability of neonatal HSV infection include (1) viral load at the time of exposure and the specific type of HSV strain involved, (2) maternal antibodies which may protect against severe disseminated disease, and (3) the host response of the neonatal immune system, which exhibits ineffective innate and adaptive responses.
  • #58 Herpes simplex virus infection in pregnancy and in neonate: status of art of epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy and prevention | Virology Journal | Full Text
    https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1743-422X-6-40
    The newborn could be also infected by HSV-1, that may represent almost one-third of all new genital HSV diagnoses. […] The disease transmission to the newborn is dependent on the type of maternal genital infection at the time of delivery. In fact, neonatal herpes is much more frequent (50%) in babies from mothers with a primary HSV infection respect to babies from mothers with recurrent HSV infection (3%). […] The clinical presentation of infants with neonatal HSV infection, that is almost invariably symptomatic and frequently lethal, is a direct reflection of the site and extent of viral replication. […] Despite the availability of antiviral drugs for treatment of neonatal HSV infections, the outcome remains poor, particularly for babies with disseminated multi-organ infections or manifestations of CNS.
  • #59 Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection – Pediatrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/neonatal-herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection
    Death is uncommon in neonates with local disease limited to the skin, eyes, or mouth. However, without treatment, many of these neonates progress to disseminated disease or CNS disease that may be unrecognized. […] Efforts to prevent neonatal transmission have not been very effective. Universal screening has not been recommended or shown to be effective, and most maternal infections with risk of transmission are asymptomatic. […] Neonatal herpes infection may be localized to the skin, eyes, or mouth, the central nervous system, or may be disseminated. Encephalitis and disseminated disease have a high mortality rate, and neurologic sequelae are common among survivors.