Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

Histopathology is showing squamous cells and multinucleated cells containing Cowdry type A inclusions, characteristic of HSV.

These are eosinophilic ground glass inclusions separated by a clear halo from a thickened nuclear membrane. Multinucleated giant cells will also show typical nuclear moulding.

These infections are more frequent in immunocompromised patients.