Maija Haanpää1, Jorma Paavonen. 1. Pain Clinic, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. maija.haanpaa@hus.fi
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Genital herpes (GH) causes genital ulcer disease, severe transient pain, and often paresthesias. Whether or not GH can cause urinary retention or chronic neuropathic pain is not well known. METHODS: We present two immunocompetent patients with GH associated with neuropathic symptoms. We also review the literature on GH and associated neurologic problems. RESULTS: Patient 1 had primary herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 infection with transient urinary retention and chronic bilateral neuropathic pain in the sacral area. Patient 2 had recurrent HSV-1 associated with unitaleral chronic neuropathic pain in the sacral area. Although transient urinary retention associated with GH is not uncommon, chronic neuropathic pain has not been reported previously. CONCLUSIONS: Our cases show that chronic neuropathic pain, that is "pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system," can follow genital HSV infection.
BACKGROUND: Genital herpes (GH) causes genital ulcer disease, severe transient pain, and often paresthesias. Whether or not GH can cause urinary retention or chronic neuropathic pain is not well known. METHODS: We present two immunocompetent patients with GH associated with neuropathic symptoms. We also review the literature on GH and associated neurologic problems. RESULTS:Patient 1 had primary herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 infection with transient urinary retention and chronic bilateral neuropathic pain in the sacral area. Patient 2 had recurrent HSV-1 associated with unitaleral chronic neuropathic pain in the sacral area. Although transient urinary retention associated with GH is not uncommon, chronic neuropathic pain has not been reported previously. CONCLUSIONS: Our cases show that chronic neuropathic pain, that is "pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system," can follow genital HSV infection.
Authors: Bulbulgul Aumakhan; Charlotte A Gaydos; Thomas C Quinn; Chris Beyrer; Lorie Benning; Howard Minkoff; Daniel J Merenstein; Mardge Cohen; Ruth Greenblatt; Marek Nowicki; Kathryn Anastos; Stephen J Gange Journal: PLoS One Date: 2010-04-01 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Katariina Kallio-Laine; Mikko Seppänen; Hannu Kautiainen; Marja Liisa Lokki; Maija Lappalainen; Ville Valtonen; Markus Färkkilä; Eija Kalso Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2009-07 Impact factor: 6.883