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Vertical transmission of herpes simplex virus: an update
Author(s) -
Bhatta Anil Kumar,
Keyal Uma,
Liu Yeqiang,
Gellen Emese
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
jddg: journal der deutschen dermatologischen gesellschaft
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1610-0387
pISSN - 1610-0379
DOI - 10.1111/ddg.13529
Subject(s) - herpes simplex virus , transmission (telecommunications) , hsl and hsv , medicine , pregnancy , in utero , neonatal infection , latency (audio) , immunology , pediatrics , virus , intensive care medicine , virology , fetus , biology , electrical engineering , engineering , genetics
Summary Herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐1 and ‐2 infections are highly prevalent worldwide. HSV infection during pregnancy can result in neonatal herpes infection, which is characterized by lifelong infection with periods of latency and reactivation. HSV can be acquired by an infant during one of three periods: in utero (5 %), peripartum (85 %), or postnatal (10 %). Neonatal HSV is a rare but significant infection that may be associated with severe morbidity and mortality, especially if there is dissemination or central nervous system involvement. Diagnostic and therapeutic advances have led to a reduction in mortality and, to a lesser extent, improvement of neurodevelopmental outcomes, but further developments are still needed. It is essential to improve the clinician's ability to identify infants who are at increased risk of HSV infection and to prevent mother‐to‐child transmission. The development of novel antiviral agents with higher efficacy is a worthwhile aim for the future.