Research Article Open Access

Hepatitis, Meningitis and Hydrocephalus Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type I

Miguel A. Pina1, Pedro J. Modrego1 and F. Galve2
  • 1 Miguel Servet University Hospital, Spain
  • 2 Hospital Obispo Polanco, Spain

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type is the most frequent cause of sporadic and severe encephalitis in western countries. We report the exceptional case of an immunocompetent man aged 51 and who presented with hepatitis and meningitis by herpes simplex virus. Encephalitis responded to acyclovir but hepatitis did not. The patient developed diffuse hydrocephalus that required the appropriate shunt 20 days after being asymptomatic. Several aspects deserve discussion: the clinical onset with meningeal syndrome, the value of the PCR technique for diagnosis and follow-up purposes, the magnetic resonance (MRI) findings, the anicteric hepatitis with reversible cytolysis and persistent coagulation deficit and the hydrocephalus that was due not to direct effect of the virus but to a probable immunological mechanism.

American Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume 2 No. 1, 2006, 36-38

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajidsp.2006.36.38

Submitted On: 3 February 2006 Published On: 31 March 2006

How to Cite: Pina, M. A., Modrego, P. J. & Galve, F. (2006). Hepatitis, Meningitis and Hydrocephalus Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Type I. American Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2(1), 36-38. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajidsp.2006.36.38

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Keywords

  • Herpes simplex virus
  • meningitis
  • hepatitis
  • hydrocephalus