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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation
Published on: April 2, 2012
The public health imperative for a neonatal herpes simplex virus infection surveillance system
Betty A Donoval1, Douglas J Passaro, Jeffrey D Klausner
1Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, USA. bdonov2@uic.edu
Abstract:
About 1 in 5 sexually active adults in the United States has serologic evidence of genital herpes caused by herpes simplex virus type-2. Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection is a serious consequence of genital herpes infection. Herpes infection in neonates causes significant morbidity and neurologic damage and generally has a case-fatality ratio untreated of 60%. It is estimated that 440 to 1,320 cases of neonatal herpes infections occur in the United States per year (11-33 cases occur per 100,000 live births). Given the challenges in surveillance for genital herpes due to the large number of asymptomatic infections and infrequent laboratory-based diagnosis, we recommend that to begin an effective national control program for herpes infections, a mandatory national surveillance system for neonatal herpes be implemented. Such a system would help assure appropriate therapy, help monitor trends and understand the burden of disease, identify risk determinants, and evaluate prevention efforts.
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