Procalcitonin may help differentiate disseminated herpes simplex viral infection from bacterial sepsis in neonates
- 1 February 2000
- journal article
- case report
- Published by Springer Nature in European Journal of Pediatrics
- Vol. 159 (3) , 168-169
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310050044
Abstract
Disseminated herpes simplex virus infection is a potentially fatal condition which may be difficult to differentiate from bacterial sepsis. We report the case of a neonate with overwhelming herpes simplex (type 2) viraemia who presented with `septic shock'. Conclusion A low procalcitonin level (1.6 ng/ml), inconsistent with bacteraemia, suggests an alternative aetiology and may strengthen the case for antiviral therapy.Keywords
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