Maternal Herpes Simplex Encephalitis during Pregnancy
Jin-Hyung Lee, MD, Meyung-Kug Kim, MD, PhD and Bong-Goo Yoo, MD, PhD
Department of Neurology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
ABSTRACT
Background: Herpes simplex virus type 1 encephalitis rarely occurs during pregnancy, and the risk of initial misdiagnosis is high. Case Report: A pregnant 26-year-old woman at 26 weeks’ gestation was admitted due to headache, fever and memory impairment. Cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction for herpes simplex virus type 1 was positive. Brain MRI show abnormal signal intensity in the left temporal lobe. Prompt intravenous acyclovir and steroid treatment was given, and outcome were good for mother and fetus. Conclusions: Early diagnostic suspicion and prompt treatment for maternal herpes simplex encephalitis is essential to improve outcome and reduce mortality.
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