Korean J Pathol.  1999 Apr;33(4):288-291.

Herpes Simplex Esophagitis: A report of two cases

• Jung EH
• Ahn HK
• Sohn JH

Abstract

Herpes simplex esophagitis has been recognized with increased frequency as an opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed or debilitated patients. However, it is also documented as self-limited esophagitis in apparently healthy patients. We report two cases of herpetic esophagitis diagnosed by biopsies. One case was noted in an immunocompetent patient having gastric peptic ulcer who had clinical improvement with symptomatic treatment. And the other was noted in an immunosuppressed patient having chemotherapy for gastric carcinoma who had resolution of symptoms with acyclovir therapy. Histologically, esophageal mucosa exhibited erosion and inflammatory cellular exudate with intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions in the epithelial cells. These were confirmed by the PCR and immunohistochemical stain for herpes simplex virus using a biopsy material.

Keyword

Herpes simplex virus; Esophagitis

MeSH Terms

Acyclovir
Biopsy
Drug Therapy
Eosinophils
Epithelial Cells
Esophagitis*
Exudates and Transudates
Herpes Simplex*
Humans
Mucous Membrane
Opportunistic Infections
Peptic Ulcer
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Simplexvirus
Acyclovir