Which herpes simplex type is associated with neonatal encephalitis during delivery?

Which herpes simplex type is associated with neonatal encephalitis during delivery?

• A. HSV-1
• B. Varicella-zoster virus
• C. HSV-2
• D. Cytomegalovirus

Answer: (C)

Neonatal herpes acquired at delivery is most commonly caused by herpes simplex virus type 2. When a mother has genital herpes with active viral shedding at the time of vaginal delivery, the virus can contact the newborn as it passes through the birth canal, leading to neonatal infection that can involve the central nervous system and cause encephalitis. HSV-2 is classically associated with perinatal transmission and CNS involvement in newborns, more so than HSV-1, which is more often linked to orolab infections and less commonly transmitted perinatally. Varicella-zoster virus and cytomegalovirus have different routes and patterns of neonatal infection (in utero or postnatal for CMV; primary maternal varicella around delivery can cause neonatal varicella but is not the typical cause of neonatal encephalitis at delivery).

Neonatal herpes acquired at delivery is most commonly caused by herpes simplex virus type 2. When a mother has genital herpes with active viral shedding at the time of vaginal delivery, the virus can contact the newborn as it passes through the birth canal, leading to neonatal infection that can involve the central nervous system and cause encephalitis. HSV-2 is classically associated with perinatal transmission and CNS involvement in newborns, more so than HSV-1, which is more often linked to orolab infections and less commonly transmitted perinatally. Varicella-zoster virus and cytomegalovirus have different routes and patterns of neonatal infection (in utero or postnatal for CMV; primary maternal varicella around delivery can cause neonatal varicella but is not the typical cause of neonatal encephalitis at delivery).