High frequency of detection of herpes simplex virus DNA in the oral cavity of patients with eczema herpeticum.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA was detected in the oral cavity of patients with herpes labialis under various conditions such as during oral surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The frequency of detection of oral HSV DNA was compared between first or recurrent episodes of eczema herpeticum and recurrent type herpes labialis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Oral swabs were collected from 7 patients with eczema herpeticum and 9 with herpes labialis. The detection of oral HSV DNA was performed by the polymerase chain reaction method.

RESULTS: Oral HSV DNA was detected in 6 out of 7 patients (86%) with eczema herpeticum and 3 of 9 (33%) with herpes labialis.

CONCLUSIONS: The high frequency of oral HSV DNA detection in eczema herpeticum suggests that subclinical herpetic lesions may develop in the oral cavity of patients with a first episode of eczema herpeticum or may occur during asymptomatic oral HSV shedding in people with recurrent eczema herpeticum.