Acute monarticular arthritis caused by herpes simplex virus type I

Numerous viruses have been described as potential causes of acute arthritides.1-3 Recently, herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I has been implicated as a possible etiologic agent in acute arthritis in adults.4-6 The purpose here is to review evidence of the role of herpes viruses in acute arthritis and to report the isolation of HSV from the synovial fluid of a child with arthritis. CASE REPORT A 6-year-old of Mexican descent was admitted to the hospital because of the acute onset of pain and swelling in her light knee. The patients had been well until four days prior to admission when she developed fever and painful oral lesions.