Korean J Med.  2006 Mar;70(3):330-336.

A case of herpes simplex virus esophagitis by primary infection in an immunocompetent patient

• Ryu KH
• Lee TH
• Im EH
• Huh KC
• Choi YW
• Kim YM
• Kang YW

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus esophagitis (HSVE) is a rare disease and most of cases were reported in the immunocompromised state. In the immunocompetent individuals, HSVE was reported in only a few cases worldwidely, moreover some case of which was not a pure HSV infection but a mixed infections with other pathogens. We report a case of HSVE with 72 years-old immunocompetent male patient. He complained about vomiting, poor oral intake. We couldn't find any evidence that he was in immunocompromised state. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy demonstrated that the esophagus mucosa was friable, having hemorrhagic tendency, and there were multiple ulcers, which was covered with whitish patch, became confluent like a map at the distal. Microscopic examinations revealed that the squamous epithelium at the ulcer margin was infiltrated with inflammatory cells and have intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion body. This case report describes of HSVE by primary infection in an immunocompetent patient without any other infection.

Keyword

Herpes simplex virus; Esophagitis; Primary infection; Immunocompetent

MeSH Terms

Aged
Coinfection
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
Eosinophils
Epithelium
Esophagitis
Esophagus
Herpes Simplex*
Humans
Inclusion Bodies
Male
Mucous Membrane
Rare Diseases
Simplexvirus*
Ulcer
Vomiting