Herpes simplex virus infection in pregnancy: Diagnosis and significance

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) cause genital infections, and HSV infection during pregnancy can result in infection of the neonate. Here HSV structure and replication, viral pathogenesis, human immune responses to HSV, the epidemiology, details of HSV diagnosis with emphasis on typing, clinical features and antiviral treatment are reviewed. The importance of appropriate diagnostic procedures in relation to correct risk assessment of neonatal infection is emphasized.