Introduction Herpes simplex virus encephalitis is one of the more common sporadic viral encephalitides with an estimated incidence of one case per half million individuals per year (1, 2), but the true incidence may be higher. Untreated it is associated with a mortality rate exceeding 70070 and a high morbidity amongst the survivors with only about 9070 returning to normal neurological function...

Herpes simplex encephalitis is a rapidly progressive disease in neonates and adults. Mortality is high, and there are severe neurologic sequelae in survivors. The reasons for centripetal transfer of virus to the brain are not fully understood. Prompt diagnosis followed by antiviral therapy with acyclovir significantly improves the prognosis. Controversy surrounds the need for brain biopsy befor...

In a recent survey reported on by the Centers for Disease Control, herpes genitalis was the presenting complaint behind more than 35,000 visits to two clinics in major cities. Herpes genitalis is probably more prevalent today than any other sexually transmitted disease. Type 2 virus accounts for most infections seen; however, type 1 infections are reported more and more often as time passes. Al...

Herpes simplex virus is a common virus that causes a variety of clinical presentations ranging from mild to life-threatening. Orolabial and genital herpes are common disorders that can often be managed in an outpatient setting; however, some patients do present to the emergency department with those conditions, and emergency clinicians should be aware of possible complications in the pediatric ...

The FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis (ME) panel is a novel syndromic, nucleic acid amplification test for diagnosis of acute meningitis and encephalitis. Emerging data on its performance are concerning for false-positive results. We present a case of tuberculous meningitis misdiagnosed as herpes simplex virus-1 encephalitis with the FilmArray ME panel. Strategies to mitigate erroneous results ...