Age-Dependent Mendelian Predisposition to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Encephalitis in Childhood

This survey suggests that childhood HSE, although sporadic, may result from Mendelian predisposition (from autosomal recessive susceptibility in particular), at least in some children. There likely is incomplete penetrance, however, which may reflect, at least in part, the impact of age at the time of HSV-1 infection.