Herpes simplex virus in the respiratory tract of critical care patients: a prospective study.

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is occasionally detected in the lower respiratory tract of patients in intensive care, but its clinical importance in such situations remains unclear. We did a prospective cohort study to define the prevalence, origin, risk factors, and clinical relevance of HSV in the respiratory tract of patients undergoing critical care.

Methods: We tested 764 patients admitted to intensive care for the presence of HSV in the respiratory tract, and assessed statistical relations between this virus and clinical variables.