Disseminated Herpesvirus Infection

A patient with primary herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 genital infection had dissemination in the 37th week of her first pregnancy. This was manifested by severe hepatitis, pancreatitis, and genital lesions. Temporary improvement followed the delivery of a healthy infant by cesarean section. Encephalitis became evident on the third postpartum day, and recovery was complicated by profound bradycardia, possibly due to viral myocarditis. Vidarabine was administered for seven days, and the patient survived with only mild neurologic sequellae. To our knowledge, this is the fourth reported case of disseminated herpesvirus infection in pregnancy and the first due to HSV type 2. Pregnancy must be considered as a possible predisposing factor in dissemination of primary HSV infection. (JAMA235:2731-2733, 1976)