title: Intestinal herpes simplex infection presenting with intestinal perforation.
abstract: A 77-yr-old man who had received systemic steroids for more than 6 yr presented with an acute abdomen. Laparotomy revealed an ulcerative jejunitis with purulent peritonitis. The patient underwent resection of involved bowel followed by a 10-day course of aciclovir, with excellent results. Pathologic examination showed a necrotizing enteritis with intranuclear inclusions typical of Herpesvirus that reacted immunocytochemically with antibodies to herpes simplex virus types I and II. A rising herpes simplex virus serum antibody titer confirmed the diagnosis. Intestinal herpes infection with perforation should be added to the list of complications from herpes simplex in the immunocompromised patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wasselle
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sedgwick
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Fabri
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004751:Enteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone