Congenital herpes simplex virus infection diagnosed by cytology of aspirated tracheobronchial material.

Aspirated tracheal secretions from a ten-day-old newborn having signs of sepsis showed small clusters of cells with cytopathic changes consistent with herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. The presence of type 2 HSV was confirmed by an immunoperoxidase procedure on the aspirated bronchial mucus and at necropsy in most of the viscera. Since prompt antiviral chemotherapy may favorably affect the outcome of HSV infections, early cytologic studies of tracheobronchial secretions may prove useful for rapid diagnosis.