[Herpes simplex: generalized infection in a newborn]. / Virus herpes simple: infección generalizada en un neonato.

BACKGROUND: Most mucose-cutaneous infections can be diagnosed by clinical history with explorative technique. Nevertheless the definitive etiologic diagnostic can only be established with the help of the isolation and identification of the causal agent. PATIENT AND METHODS: We reported a case of generalized infection in a new born, with is clinical characteristics, virological diagnostic techniques and treatment of the disease. RESULTS: Herpes simplex virus was isolated in Vero cellular culture from CRL and vesiculose lesions of the child's thorax region and from the mothers endocervical scrapes. The agent was identified by seroneutralization test. This confirmed a perinatal transmission of Herpes simplex virus type 2. The tomographic studies revealed characteristic alterations of a viral encephalitis. An antiviral treatment was useful in this therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the importance of an early viral diagnostic which permits the applications of specific treatment and thus the prevention of severe complications.