Herpesvirus Infections of the Human Central Nervous System

TLDR

Herpesvirus infections of the central nervous system are not rare, with clinical, pathological, and epidemiological aspects documented since 1941 and frequency noted in nonbacterial CNS infections. Accurate and rapid in‑life diagnosis is required to consider treatment with 5‑iodo‑2′‑deoxyuridine (IUDR). This report reviews 49 patients with HSV‑associated CNS disease examined in the laboratory over the past twenty‑five years. No additional information.

Abstract

HUMAN Central-nervous-system infection with Herpesvirus hominis (herpes-simplex virus), first described in 1941,1 is by no means rare. A number of reports describe the clinical, pathological and epidemiological aspects of encephalitis caused by this virus and its frequency in nonbacterial Central-nervous-system infections.2 3 4 5 Because of its sporadic occurrence and difficulties in establishing diagnoses during life, knowledge of the disease has been based upon histologic study. However, accurate and rapid diagnosis during life is required if treatment with 5-iodo 2′-deoxyuridine (IUDR) is contemplated. This report reviews 49 patients with Central-nervous-system disease associated with herpes-simplex virus studied in this laboratory in the past twenty-five . . .