Progressive calcifications of lung and liver in neonatal herpes simplex virus infection

Abstract

We report a female neonate who developed severe septicemia presenting with pneumonia and hepatitis due to an infection with herpes simplex virus type II. In spite of antiviral as well as intensive care therapy, three weeks after admission, extensive hepatic calcification was demonstrable on abdominal radiograph, a sign of severe cellular necrosis. In contrast the pulmonary infiltration recovered completely. The clinical follow up was completed by ultrasound and radiography. The infant died at the age of two months secondary to severe postnecrotic hepatic failure. At autopsy, histological evaluation confirmed the former diagnostic and technical findings; in addition, pulmonary calcifications were detected morphologically which had not been seen on the chest radiograph. The significance of progressive organ calcifications for the prognosis of recovery has been discussed.