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[Herpetic meningitis in the child]

C Dupuis1, V Despert, P Vigneron

  • 1Département de médecine de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, hôpital Sud, CHU de Rennes, 16, boulevard de Bulgarie, BP 56129, 35056 Rennes, France.

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|December 31, 2002
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) meningitis is rare in children. This case report details a successful treatment of a three-year-old girl with HSV-1 meningitis using aciclovir.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Viral meningitis in children is commonly caused by Enteroviruses.
  • Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) are recognized causes of meningoencephalitis.
  • HSV-2 is associated with recurrent meningitis (Mollaret's meningitis) in adults.

Observation:

  • This report details a case of a three-year-old girl diagnosed with HSV-1 meningitis.
  • The patient received treatment with the antiviral medication aciclovir.

Findings:

  • HSV-1 is an uncommon cause of isolated aseptic meningitis in pediatric populations.
  • The patient exhibited a positive clinical response to aciclovir treatment.

Implications:

  • This case highlights HSV-1 as a potential, though rare, cause of meningitis in children.
  • Early diagnosis and antiviral treatment with aciclovir can lead to favorable outcomes.
  • Further research may clarify the role of HSV-1 in pediatric neurological complications.

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