Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection occurring in second twin of an asymptomatic mother. Failure of a modern protocol.

A case of neonatal herpes that occurred after vaginal delivery in the absence of genital lesions is presented. The mother had a history of drug addiction and genital herpes. Asymptomatic shedding of herpes simplex virus type 2 from the cervix was noted in the second trimester of pregnancy. Despite being followed with a protocol of close surveillance and serial culturing of the genital tract, the patient gave birth to twins, one of whom developed herpes simplex virus type 2 in the postpartum period. This report presents discussion of this case and herpes surveillance protocols.