A 24-year-old woman presents with multiple grouped vesicles on an erythematous base on the vulva, associated with burning pain. A Tzanck smear from the base of a vesicle shows multinucleated giant cells with molded nuclei and intranuclear inclusions. What is the causative organism?
- A Treponema pallidum
- B Haemophilus ducreyi
- C Herpes simplex virus type 2 ✓
- D Varicella-zoster virus
Correct answer: C. Herpes simplex virus type 2
Explanation
Herpes genitalis is most commonly caused by HSV-2. The Tzanck smear shows multinucleated giant cells with Cowdry type A intranuclear inclusions. T. pallidum causes syphilis, presenting as a painless indurated ulcer. H. ducreyi causes chancroid, presenting as a painful ulcer with ragged undermined edges. VZV causes chickenpox and herpes zoster, which follows a dermatomal distribution rather than grouped vesicles on the genitalia.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.