[Herpes simplex: generalized infection in a newborn].

BACKGROUND

Most mucose-cutaneous infections can be diagnosed by clinical history with explorative technique. Nevertheless the definitive etiologic diagnostic can only be established with the help of the isolation and identification of the causal agent.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We reported a case of generalized infection in a new born, with is clinical characteristics, virological diagnostic techniques and treatment of the disease.

RESULTS

Herpes simplex virus was isolated in Vero cellular culture from CRL and vesiculose lesions of the child's thorax region and from the mothers endocervical scrapes. The agent was identified by seroneutralization test. This confirmed a perinatal transmission of Herpes simplex virus type 2. The tomographic studies revealed characteristic alterations of a viral encephalitis. An antiviral treatment was useful in this therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate the importance of an early viral diagnostic which permits the applications of specific treatment and thus the prevention of severe complications.