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Herpes simplex esophagitis

A cause of upper-gastrointestinal bleeding

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Abstract

Two patients with hemorrhagic esophagitis secondary to esophageal invasion with herpes simplex virus, type 1, are reported. Microscopic examination of the esophageal mucosa revealed multinucleated cells and intranuclear inclusions which are typical of herpes simplex infection. Herpes virus was cultured from each patient. Thus, hemorrhagic esophagitis due to esophageal invasion by herpes simplex virus may be a more frequent cause of upper-gastrointestinal bleeding than previously recognized.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastrointestinal Section, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 36th and Spruce Streets, 19104, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Paul G. Fishbein MD, Ralph Tuthill MD, Herbert Kressel MD, Harvey Friedman MD &  William J. Snape Jr MD

Authors
  1. Paul G. Fishbein MD
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  2. Ralph Tuthill MD
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  3. Herbert Kressel MD
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  4. Harvey Friedman MD
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  5. William J. Snape Jr MD
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Fishbein, P.G., Tuthill, R., Kressel, H. et al. Herpes simplex esophagitis. Digest Dis Sci 24, 540–544 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01489323

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01489323

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