title: Herpes simplex dissemination following glucocorticoids for upper airway obstruction in an adolescent girl.
abstract: A previously healthy adolescent female suddenly developed a severe febrile pharyngitis and impending upper airway obstruction. Her Monospot test was positive, and her throat culture grew group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. After treatment with antibiotics and glucocorticoids, she developed a fulminant course dominated by disseminated intravascular coagulation and hepatic necrosis. At autopsy, herpes simplex virus type-1 was cultured from lung, liver, and spleen tissue. We believe this is the first report of disseminated herpes simplex infection after steroid use for upper airway obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shane
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wollman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Claassen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids