Herpes simplex virus type 1 and respiratory disease in critically-ill patients: real pathogen or innocent bystander?

摘要: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been associated with pulmonary disease, mostly in severely immunocompromised patients. After reactivation and shedding the oropharynx, may reach lower respiratory tract by aspiration or contiguous spread. HSV-1 can be detected clinical specimens culture quantitatively nucleic acid amplification techniques. With these techniques, is often secretions of critically-ill However, a clear diagnosis pneumonia difficult to establish because criteria, radiological features laboratory findings all lack specificity. Lower infections have not specific risk-factors. There also an absence consistent data concerning effect antiviral treatment on outcome Further studies are needed better define pathogenic role patients, improve diagnosis, and, especially, assess need for individual patient.