Herpes simplex virus Type 1 encephalitis in an adolescent presenting with acute hydrocephalus

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus Type 1 (HSV-1) is a human neurotropic virus causing encephalitis, corneal blindness or several peripheral nervous system disorders. Herpes Simplex encephalitis (HSE) is the most devastating clinical syndrome with severe morbidity and mortality. Hydrocephalus associated with viral meningoencephalitis is an extremely rare entity with only few documented cases, predominantly due to HSV-2 infection. HSV-1 infection of central nervous system present in the majority of the cases as encephalitis. We report a rare case of an 11-year-old child suffering from HSV-1 infection of central nervous system causing hydrocephalus without evidence of encephalitis.