Recurrent herpes simplex infections of upper extremities with lymphangitis; report of three cases with virus studies in two

THE PROTEAN nature of infections due to the virus of herpes simplex has been repeatedly emphasized, and unusual clinical manifestations caused by this virus are being recorded with increasing frequency. 1 Herpes simplex infections occurring on the fingers or forearms, however, have been described only rarely, and their association with lymphangitis is even more unusal. 2 Furthermore, actual identification of the virus has been accomplished only in occasional instances. It is the purpose of this paper to report on two patients with recurrent herpes simplex infections on the fingers and one patient with recurrent herpes simplex infection on the forearm, in which lymphangitis was a prominent feature. Herpes simplex virus was isolated and identified from two of these patients. Virus studies were not attempted in the third case. METHODS OF VIRUS ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION The method followed in these cases for the identification of herpes simplex virus has been