European journal of pediatrics
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Case Reports
Procalcitonin may help differentiate disseminated herpes simplex viral infection from bacterial sepsis in neonates.
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'. ⋯ A low procalcitonin level (1.6 ng/ml), inconsistent with bacteraemia, suggests an alternative aetiology and may strengthen the case for antiviral therapy.