Bilateral necrotizing retinitis complicating fatal encephalitis probably due to herpes simplex virus type 2

The clinical history, autopsy findings and ocular pathology of a case of localized neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 infection is reported in which the main brunt of the infection fell on the cerebral hemispheres and the peripheral retina. HSV type 2 was isolated from skin vesicles which developed on the trunk and arms and in the mouth 10 days after birth. There was no visceral involvement. Although the infant was probably infected at some time during birth, HSV could not be isolated from the mother's birth canal.