Fatal Herpes Simplex Hepatitis in a Newborn Infant

Abstract

The authors describe what they believe to be the 3rd reported instance wherein the specific nature of herpetic-type of intranuclear inclusion bodies in widespread necrosis of the liver was proved by virologic studies. An infant died on the 12th day of life with a clinical syndrome of hemorrhagic diathesis. Postmortem examination revealed widespread necrosis of the liver, and amphophilic and acidophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in hepatic cells. Herpes simplex virus was isolated from the liver by inoculation of chorioallantoic membranes of chick embryos, and herpetic encephalitis, with inclusion bodies, was established in young mice by intracerebral inoculation of suspensions of liver. Pathogenesis of the disease is discussed. It is thought that the infant contracted the infection in utero.