Herpes simplex-hepatitus use of immunoperoxidase to demonstrate the viral antigen in hepatocytes.

In this paper we describe 2 patients with herpes simplex hepatitis. Submassive liver necrosis occurred in both patients, one of whom survived. Notable in the clinical course of both patients was the almost simultaneous occurrence of three events-fever, marked elevation of serum transaminases, and leukopenia. Using an immunoperoxidase staining technique we demonstrated herpes simplex viral antigen in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane of affected hepatocytes.