Herpes Simplex Virus Infections of the Nervous System

Abstract

HERPES SIMPLEX virus Herpesvirus hominis) has recently attracted the increasing attention of neurologists. Formerly thought to be a rare cause of central nervous system (CNS) disease, this agent is now recognized as the most common cause of sporadic fatal encephalitis in this country.^1-3 Further, a recent clinical and laboratory analysis⁴ would confirm the suggestion of others^3-7 that herpes simplex encephalitis can present with unique clinical features, as well as a characteristic pathological involvement of the orbital-frontal and medial-temporal areas of the brain. The proposals that herpes simplex virus may play an etiologic role in subacute inclusion body encephalitis⁸ and acute hemorrhagic leucoencephalitis⁹ have further stimulated neurological interest in this agent. However, implication of the herpes simplex virus in the causation of any of these disorders must depend ultimately upon valid laboratory studies. Three laboratory methods have been employed to establish a diagnosis of herpes