Herpes Simplex Virus Infections of the Central Nervous System: Therapeutic and Diagnostic Considerations

Herpes simplex virus infections of the central nervous system remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, in spite of safe and efficacious antiviral therapy. Advances in the treatment of neonatal herpes and herpes simplex encephalitis with acyclovir have improved outcome. The application...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical infectious diseases 1995-02, Vol.20 (2), p.414-420
Main Authors: Whitley, Richard J., Lakeman, Fred
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acyclovir - therapeutic use
Adult
Antivirals
Biological and medical sciences
Central nervous system
Central Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis
Central Nervous System Diseases - drug therapy
Central Nervous System Diseases - virology
Central nervous system viral diseases
Encephalitis
Herpes Simplex - diagnosis
Herpes Simplex - drug therapy
Herpes simplex encephalitis
herpes simplex virus
Human viral diseases
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infections
Infectious diseases
Medical sciences
Nervous system diseases
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Review Articles
Simplexvirus
Viral diseases
Viral diseases of the nervous system
Viruses
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Description
Summary:Herpes simplex virus infections of the central nervous system remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, in spite of safe and efficacious antiviral therapy. Advances in the treatment of neonatal herpes and herpes simplex encephalitis with acyclovir have improved outcome. The application of polymerase chain reaction has allowed for the prompt and specific diagnosis of herpes simplex virus infections of the brain. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of herpes simplex virus infections of the brain. Opportunities for the future will be defined.
ISSN:1058-4838
1537-6591
DOI:10.1093/clinids/20.2.414