Herpes simplex virus meningitis in children in South East of caspian sea, iran.

BACKGROUND

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a member of Herpesviridae and a leading cause of human viral diseases. Meningitis occurs as a complication of HSV-1 or HSV-2 primary infection.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate HSV meningitis in children in Gorgan province, Iran.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Forty-five cerebrospinal fluid samples were taken from children referred with meningitis symptoms. Samples with negative bacterial culture results were tested for viral, biochemical and cytological assays. DNA extraction and PCR were performed.

RESULTS

HSV-1 detected in 4 (8.8%) samples without any HSV-2 infections. Cases with positive results had fever and CSF pleocytosis. Vomiting, headache and higher count of WBC were observed in 3, 2 and 3 cases respectively. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose and protein levels were normal and 3 cases showed positive C-reactive protein (CRP) results. Also erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was higher than normal in all positive cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Distribution of HSV types in children with meningitis in our area predominantly was type 1 compared with type 2, which has been reported more in other area.