Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus (Types 1 and 2), Varicella-Zoster Virus, Cytomegalovirus, and Human Herpesvirus 6 and 7 DNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Middle Eastern Patients with Encephalitis

摘要

HSV-1 DNA was detected in 32 (30%) of 106 cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with encephalitis. Cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) DNAs were each detected in three patients (3%); herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and HHV-7 PCRs were negative. HSV detection was associated with seizure (P = 0.02), especially focal seizure (P = 0.0002), and pathological computed tomography (P = 0.02) with focal lesions (P = 0.0004).