Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome due to herpes simplex virus type 1

To describe the clinical findings in a patient with Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome as an uncommon manifestation of primary herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection.

The clinical course, the laboratory findings, the therapy, and the outcome regarding a 14-year-old girl are described.

The culture and PCR detection of HSV-1 on conjunctiva and skin scrapings, along with seroconversion to HSV, confirmed the etiology. The oral and local acyclovir therapy led to a prompt improvement in the patient's symptoms.

The solitary ocular-glandular syndrome due to HSV-1 primary infection has never been reported before. Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome is found in 5% of patients with cat-scratch disease and only on rare occasion associated with other conditions. Herpetic infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young patients with conjunctivitis, periorbital swelling, and painful preauricular and submandibular lymphadenopathy, combined with systemic symptoms of malaise and fever.