title: Coexistent infections on a child's distal phalanx: blistering dactylitis and herpetic whitlow.
abstract: We report a case of coexistent Staphylococcus aureus and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections responsible for a bullous and vesicular eruption on a child's distal phalanx. Blistering distal dactylitis (BDD), a superficial infection of the distal portion of the finger, is seen most commonly in children and is caused by either beta-hemolytic streptococci or S aureus. Herpetic whitlow, also a blistering infection found on children's distal fingers, is a bacteriologic sterile infection caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2. In this report, we note that these infections may coexist on the distal phalanx. This case has implications for diagnosis and treatment of children's blistering hand diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville 22908-0718, USA.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ney
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: English
authors.forename: Kenneth E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Greer
mesh_terms: D001768:Blister / Q000382:microbiology; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins