[Infections with herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus in pregnancy: clinical manifestations in mother, fetus and newborn--therapeutic options].

Infections with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I and type II and varicella/zoster-virus (VZV) are lifelong. The life cycle of the virus - primary infection-latency-endogenous reactivation - determines the clinical features of the diseases, i. e. primary infection and recurrences. During pregnancy, infections with HSV and VZV may induce severe maternal illness that occasionally runs a lethal course. With viremia placental transmission of the virus may occur infecting the fetus and possibly causing spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and congenital malformations. The occurrence of such malformations is best documented for the "fetal varicella syndrome". Maternal varicella and genital herpes simplex within the perinatal period represent a tremendous risk for the newborn to be infected during delivery; such infection may cause life threatening diseases that have a lethal outcome in more than 50% of affected children. We describe the life cycle of HSV/VZV in infected individuals and the peculiar clinical features of maternal infections during pregnancy. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the infected fetus and newborn are highlighted and prophylactic and therapeutic possibilities are discussed.