Case Reports Forensic Pathology 2022 Exercise 6: Disseminated Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in a Neonate

Authors

Stefanie Grewe, MD

Susan Erin Presnell, MD

Angelina Phillips, MD

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Primary Audience: Pathologists and Clinical Scientists
Secondary Audience: Residents, Laboratory Technologist/Scientist (Includes all sub-specialty areas), Students, Pathologist Assistants,  Laboratory Directors and Educators

Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:

·       recognize the gross findings of disseminated neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection at autopsy;

·       appropriately describe neonatal HSV transmission routes from mother to child;

·       discuss available postmortem testing modalities to confirm HSV infection in pediatric cases;

·       advise the decedent’s family and investigators about methods to prevent maternal-child transmission of HSV infection in future pregnancies; and

·       discuss the differential diagnoses for disseminated neonatal HSV infection, key distinguishing features, and best practices for postmortem diagnosis.