Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

[Herpes simplex encephalitis in childhood]

Hiroshi Kimura1

  • 1Department of Virology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine.

Rinsho Shinkeigaku = Clinical Neurology
|April 17, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Central nervous system (CNS) infections in children, including herpes simplex encephalitis, have improved survival rates due to early diagnosis and antiviral treatments. However, neurological complications persist, prompting recommendations for longer, higher-dose acyclovir therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Virology
  • Pediatrics

Context:

  • Central nervous system (CNS) infections by herpes simplex virus (HSV) in childhood encompass herpes simplex encephalitis and neonatal CNS infections.
  • Neonatal CNS infections differ pathogenetically and clinically from adult herpes simplex encephalitis.
  • Herpes simplex encephalitis in children shares similarities with adult cases.

Purpose:

  • To differentiate the pathogenesis and clinical features of CNS infections in neonates versus children and adults.
  • To highlight advancements in diagnosing and treating childhood CNS HSV infections.
  • To address the persistent issue of neurological morbidity and relapses despite current therapies.

Summary:

  • Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes herpes simplex encephalitis via trans-neuronal transmission in children and adults.
  • Hematogenous spread of HSV-1 or HSV-2 causes CNS infections in neonates.
  • Early diagnosis via PCR and antiviral therapies have improved mortality for childhood CNS HSV infections.
  • Neurological morbidity remains a challenge, with some HSV infections relapsing post-acyclovir therapy.

Impact:

  • Improved survival rates for CNS infections by herpes simplex virus in childhood.
  • Persistent neurological morbidity and potential for relapse necessitate revised treatment strategies.
  • Recent recommendations advocate for extended acyclovir therapy with increased dosages for childhood CNS infections.

More Related Videos

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy09:57

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Published on: September 20, 2024

Differentiation of the SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line08:07

Differentiation of the SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line

Published on: February 17, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Genital Herpes01:23

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
Chickenpox01:20

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...
Herpes01:28

Herpes

Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV‑1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for orolabial lesions. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae. Once the virus infects a host cell, its double‑stranded DNA genome is delivered into the nucleus, where a coordinated cascade of immediate‑early, early, and late gene expression directs viral DNA replication, structural protein synthesis, and virion assembly. After primary infection of epithelial cells, HSV-1...