An Outbreak of Herpes Gladiatorum at a High-School Wrestling Camp

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Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been identified as a cause of cutaneous or ocular infection among athletes involved in contact sports; in this context it is known as herpes gladia-torum. In July 1989, we investigated an outbreak among 175 high-school wrestlers attending a four-week intensive-training camp. Cases of infection were identified by review of medical records, interview and examination of the wrestlers, and culture of skin lesions. Oropharyngeal swabs were obtained for HSV-1 culture, and serum samples for HSV-1 serologic studies. HSV-1 isolates were compared by restriction-endonuclease analysis.