HSV-1 encephalitis

Q: Why Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)-1 encephalitis is not much common in immunocompromised patients despite high occurrence of mucocutaneous HSV-1 infections in these patients? 


 Answer:  Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)-1 encephalitis is not much common in immunocompromised patients because most of the brain damage from CNS HSV-1 infection is immune mediated. In immunocompromised patient it has only a mild histopathologic changes.

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Reference:

Pepose JS, Hilborne LH, Cancilla PA, Foos RY. Concurrent herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus retinitis and encephalitis in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ophthalmology 1984; 91:1669.