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Neonatal HSV-1 diversity greater between patients than within patients

Deep sequencing found no significant association between minor-variant burden and disease severity, although several newborns had unusually high within-host viral diversity.

  • By

  • Kathryn Wighton

  • August 12, 2026

  • 5 min

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Neonatal HSV-1 diversity greater between patients than within patients

Overview

A study found that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) diversity is greater between newborns than within the same newborn. Minor-variant counts did not significantly differ by disease severity.

Background

Understanding the diversity of HSV-1 in neonates is crucial due to the potential severity of infections, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The study highlights the genetic variability of HSV-1 among newborns.

Data Highlights

ParameterFindings
Samples Analyzed30 residual diagnostic samples from 10 newborns
Cultured Samples14 of 30 samples yielded viral cultures
Minor VariantsCounts did not differ significantly by disease severity
Survival in Mice0% to 50% survival depending on isolate

Key Findings

  • HSV-1 diversity was greater between newborns than within the same newborn.
  • Minor-variant counts did not significantly differ between mild and severe disease cases.
  • Samples that could be cultured had higher viral genome copy numbers (P < .0001).
  • Direct patient samples that could not be cultured had significantly more minor variants.
  • Survival rates in mice inoculated with isolates varied from 0% to 50% based on the isolate.

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate the need for further research into the genetic diversity of HSV-1 in neonatal infections.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the importance of inter-patient variability in HSV-1 infections among neonates.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Passetti HA et al., The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- Neonatal HSV-1 diversity greater between patients than within patients
  2. Infection — Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2 Reactivation in Adults with Mild to Moderate Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Multicenter Cohort Investigation
  3. Infection — Identification of herpesviruses in cerebrospinal fluid of adults with suspected viral meningitis in Malawi
  4. Frontiers in Neurology — Clinical characteristics and prognostic analysis of patients with herpesvirus meningitis/encephalitis based on cerebrospinal fluid mNGS positivity
  5. Herpes Simplex | Red Book: 2024–2027 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases
  6. A Controlled Trial Comparing Vidarabine with Acyclovir in Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection
  7. Epidemiology of Herpes Simplex Virus in Infants Aged 0–42 Days: 2008–2024 | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics

Original Source(s)

Neonatal HSV-1 diversity greater between patients than within patients

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • August 12, 2026

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