Oral recrudescent herpes simplex virus infection.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of involvement of different intraoral sites by oral recrudescent herpes simplex virus in immunocompromised patients and whether keratinized intraoral sites are always affected by this virus.


METHODS
The records of 30 hospitalized patients who had oral ulcers culture positive for herpes simplex virus were reviewed for the location of oral ulcers, febrile episodes, and medical diagnoses.


RESULTS
The data revealed that oral recrudescent herpes simplex virus may involve any intraoral site in immunocompromised patients with nonkeratinized sites representing approximately half of all sites; this is more frequent than has been previously reported. Twenty-six (86.7%) of 30 patients had no evidence of herpes labialis, and 13 (43.3%) of 30 patients were afebrile.


CONCLUSIONS
It is recommended that all oral ulcers, in immunocompromised patients should be cultured for herpes simplex virus regardless of their location. Early diagnosis reduces patient morbidity because effective treatment in the form of acyclovir is readily available.
Woo
S B
SB
Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Mass., USA.
Lee
S F
SF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007633:Keratins; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000821:virology; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D013283:Stomatitis, Herpetic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
D007633:Keratins