Vacuum extraction and herpes simplex virus infection

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics Vol. 89; no. 3; pp. 242 - 246
• Main Authors: Sadan, O., Dishi, M., Somekh, E., Kohelet, D., Lurie, S., Glezerman, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-06-2005; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Asymptomatic shedding; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Extraembryonic Membranes; Female; Genital herpes; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Herpes Simplex - diagnosis; Herpes simplex virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infectious diseases; Labor, Obstetric; Medical sciences; Pregnancy; Scalp - virology; Simplexvirus - isolation & purification; Time Factors; Vacuum extraction; Vacuum Extraction, Obstetrical; Vagina - virology; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the genital and urinary system; Pregnancy; Asymptomatic shedding; Genital herpes; Vacuum extraction; Herpes simplex virus; Herpesviridae; Gynecology; Alphaherpesvirinae; Asymptomatic; Obstetrics; Vacuum extractor; Infection; Virus; Obstetrical technique; Sexually transmitted disease; Viral disease; Female; Extraction; Herpesvirus hominis; Delivery
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2005.02.020

To search for an association between delivery by vacuum extraction and an increased neonatal risk for herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.
In a cross-sectional, descriptive, controlled study, the study (vacuum extraction) and control (spontaneous delivery) groups each included 50 consecutive women with no history of HSV infection. Cultures for HSV were obtained from the genital tracts of all parturient women and the scalps of their newborns.
Following operative vaginal delivery, two newborns (4%) had scalp vesicles and cultures were positive for HSV for both mothers and newborns; two newborns (4%) had scalp vesicles and cultures were negative for HSV; and two newborns (4%) without scalp vesicles had cultures positive for HSV. Following spontaneous delivery, cultures were positive for HSV for four women and their newborns (8%).
Herpes simplex virus isolated from the scalps of newborns may often result from colonization rather than infection.