Herpes esophagitis: a cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in an immunocompetent patient

J Formos Med Assoc. 1992 Nov;91(11):1112-4.

Abstract

Herpes esophagitis presents as dysphagia and odynophagia in the majority of cases. Rarely has hematemesis been reported. We report a case of herpes esophagitis presenting with hematemesis in an immunocompetent patient. This 67-year-old man suffered from herpes esophagitis, proven by a panendoscopic examination, with characteristic histological findings. He presented with hematemesis and passage of tarry stools, but was otherwise healthy with normal humoral, cell-mediated immunity and was negative for human immunodeficiency virus antibody. Only supportive treatment was given. He has been well for the past nine months since the initial diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Esophagitis / complications*
  • Esophagitis / microbiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Herpes Simplex / complications*
  • Herpes Simplex / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Male