Recurrent conjugal neuralgia caused by Herpesvirus hominis type 2
D. R. Hinthorn, L. H. Baker, D. A. Romig and C. Liu
Leg neuralgia is usually caused by nerve root irritation, and is seldom
considered of viral origin. Two married couples had recurrent leg pain in a
dermatome distribution. In each episode, after one to three days of
neuralgia, herpetic vesicles appear on or near the genitalia. Herpesvirus
hominis (HVH) was isolated from vesicles or cervix in three patients and
was serologically identified as herpesvirus honinis type 2. Prolonged
follow-up has not shown progression of the syndrome or any permanent
neurologic damage. Treatment with topical neutral red and photoinactivation
has not only reduced local lesion healing time and frequency of attacks,
but it has also given prompt relief of neuralgia.
