Lethal herpes simplex virus type 1 hepatitis in a normal adult.

A fatal case of human herpes simplex type 1 hepatitis is presented and compared with cases previously reported. The patient presented with fulminant hepatic necrosis, coagulopathy, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and absence of typical herpetic mucocutaneous lesions. Liver biopsy helped to establish a presumptive diagnosis in this patient and in one previously reported case. Theoretically, early diagnosis might enable application of specific antiviral therapy in future cases of this usually fatal infection.