Herpes simplex infection causing acute necrotizing tonsillitis.

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.