Primary genital herpes simplex infection associated with Jewish ritual circumcision

Circumcision is a common custom in many cultures. Complications of the procedure include adhesions, infection, hemorrhage, urinary retention, acute renal failure, and rarely, necrotizing fasciitis [1]. A recent study in Israel showed that urinary tract infection occurs more frequently after traditional circumcision performed by a mohel (Jewish Orthodox ritual circumciser) than after circumcision performed by a physician [2]. In this article we describe a case of primary neonatal herpes simplex infection associated with ritual circumcision.