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Herpes simplex infection causing acute necrotizing tonsillitis
P J Wat1, J G Strickler, J L Myers
1Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Objective:
To describe the clinical and pathologic features of acute herpetic tonsillitis and to compare the histologic findings with those of herpetic lymphadenitis.
Design:
We present a case report of a 22-year-old woman with bilateral cervical adenopathy, acute tonsillitis, and suspected peritonsillar abscess.
Material And 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.
Conclusion:
HSV infection is an uncommon cause of acute tonsillitis; the histologic findings are similar to those seen in herpes simplex lymphadenitis.