title: Atypical Herpetic Whitlow: A Diagnosis to Consider.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Herpetic whitlow is caused by herpes virus (type1 or 2) during primary infection or as result of autoinoculation. Commonly, it is caused by HSV-2 in adults with positive history for genital infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 44-year-old woman that came to our attention with a 3- year history of recurrent cutaneous eruption on the ring finger of her left hand associated to lymphangitis of the homolateral arm. Laboratory exams including PCR on blood and cutaneous swab allowed to diagnosis it as a rare case of herpetic whitlow.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The case here reported demonstrates that herpetic whitlow should be kept in mind by physicians in recurrent cases of fingers infection. Advanced diagnostic techniques as PCR are required to help clinicians to achieve a definite diagnosis and to choose the right treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foti
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Romita
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mascia
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Virology Unit, Bari-Policlinico, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miragliotta
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Virology Unit, Bari-Policlinico, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calvario
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents
keywords: Atypical herpetic infection; HSV-1; HSV-2; PCR; suppressive antiviral therapy; whitlow