Herpes simplex infection causing acute necrotizing tonsillitis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical and pathologic features of acute herpetic tonsillitis and to compare the histologic findings with those of herpetic lymphadenitis.


METHODS
We present a case report of a 22-year-old woman with bilateral cervical adenopathy, acute tonsillitis, and suspected peritonsillar abscess.


METHODS
Histologic examination of the excised tonsils demonstrated discrete necrotic areas that contained cells with intranuclear viral inclusions.


RESULTS
The diagnosis of herpetic tonsillitis was confirmed by demonstrating herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells on paraffin section immunostains and by positive HSV cultures of the tonsillar tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
HSV infection is an uncommon cause of acute tonsillitis; the histologic findings are similar to those seen in herpes simplex lymphadenitis.
Wat
P J
PJ
Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Strickler
J G
JG
Myers
J L
JL
Nordstrom
M R
MR
D000208:Acute Disease; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007181:Inclusion Bodies, Viral; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D018139:Simplexvirus; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
D000212:Acyclovir