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Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections: is there a role for immunoglobulin in disease prevention and therapy?

R J Whitley1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|May 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections are severe, with high mortality. Combining antiviral therapy with immunoglobulin products may improve outcomes for affected infants.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Neonatal Medicine

Background:

  • Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections lead to significant infant morbidity and mortality.
  • Severe forms include encephalitis and disseminated infection, affecting over 50% of neonatal herpes cases.
  • High mortality and morbidity rates (over 75%) necessitate improved therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate immunoglobulin products as an adjunct therapy for neonatal HSV infections.
  • To explore the potential of combined antiviral and antibody therapy for improved infant outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on neonatal HSV treatment.
  • Analysis of the rationale for using immunoglobulin products (monoclonal antibodies, hyperimmune globulin).
  • Focus on concomitant administration with antiviral therapy.

Main Results:

  • Neonatal HSV encephalitis and disseminated disease carry a poor prognosis.
  • Limited transplacental maternal antibodies in disseminated neonatal HSV highlight the need for alternative antibody sources.
  • Immunoglobulin products offer a potential therapeutic avenue.

Conclusions:

  • Concomitant administration of antiviral therapy and immunoglobulin products may improve outcomes for infants with severe neonatal HSV.
  • Further research into antibody-based therapies is warranted for neonatal herpes simplex virus.
  • Targeting improved disease outcomes in neonatal herpes is crucial.

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