title: Recurrent herpes genitalis, severe impairment of specific cell-mediated immune response and bilateral femoral head necrosis: report of a case.
abstract: The case of a 56 years old patient, affected by recurrent herpes genitalis (RHG) is reported. The patient came to our observation on March 1983 and he was suffering from RHG for 20 years, before our study. Episodes of RHG were severe, due to local and general symptomatology. Characterization of immune response showed decrease of NK activity to the K562 cell line, impairment of specific cell mediated immunity to Herpes simplex virus (HSV) as well as a decrease of T cells with helper phenotype. HSV type 2 was stained from active lesions. Immunological alterations were present irrespective of phase of activity of the disease during all the follow up period (March 1983-March 1985). At the first visit the patient was found to be suffering from a femoral head necrosis (FHN) of the right leg. One year later the same disease appeared at the contralateral leg. The possible relationship between RHG, accompanied by the described immunodeficiency, and the FHN is described.
mesh_terms: D005270:Femur Head / Q000473:pathology*; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000150:complications; D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010641:Phenotype; D012008:Recurrence; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer
chemical_list: D007961:Leukocyte Migration-Inhibitory Factors