Delineating the Role of Serum Immunoglobulin Titers in Burn Patients at High Risk for Herpes Simplex Virus Infection

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is common in the population and reactivation of latent infection often occurs in times of physiologic stress, including postburn injury. Active HSV infection complicates burn injury recovery and increases morbidity. A retrospective chart review of high-risk burn patients (≥20%TBSA and/or facial burns) who had screening HSV immunoglobulin titers drawn from 2015 to 2018 was conducted. Titer levels and morbidity-related outcomes were compared between patients who developed active infection and those who did not. Fifty-six patients had serum HSV titers measured. Twenty-nine patients (52%) developed clinical signs of HSV infection, almost all of which (97%) suffered facial burns. Titers were ordered on median hospital day 1.5 (0.00–4.0) and infection occurred on day 8.0 (2.0–16). Median HSV-1,2 IgM titers were significantly increased in patients who developed clinically active HSV infection (0.71 [0.44–1.1] vs 0.52 [0.34–0.74], P = .02). Median HSV-1 IgG (P = .65) and HSV-2 IgG titers (P = .97) were not different between groups. Patients who developed active infection had a comparable hospital length of stay (27 [9.5–40] days vs 20 [8.0–28] days, P = .17) and ICU length of stay (26 [13–49] days vs 19 [11–27] days, P = .09) to those who did not develop infection. There was no difference in mortality. Increased HSV-1 and 2 IgM screening levels were associated with an increased risk of developing active HSV infection, and offer a specific screening modality in high-risk patients. Elevated IgM titers warrant further consideration for administration of HSV prophylaxis, as earlier intervention may prevent infection onset and minimize morbidity.