title: Herpes simplex virus colitis complicating ulcerative colitis: A case report and brief review on superinfections.
abstract: In patients with inflammatory bowel disease herpes simplex virus infection has been described as a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Here we present the case of a 35-year old woman with an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis caused by herlpes simplex virus infection (HSV-2). The diagnosis was confirmed histologically following subtotal colectomy. After intravenous treatment with aciclovir for 2 weeks postoperative hematochezia stopped. Herpes simplex virus colitis is a rare but potentially fatal complication of immunosuppressive treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Prompt diagnosis and efficient antiviral therapy are mandatory to improve prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Robert Bosch Hospital, Auerbachstrasse 110, 70376 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Marco Oliver
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Schunter
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Walles
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fritz
authors.forename: Uta
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Meyding-Lamadé
authors.forename: Klaus-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Thon
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fellermann
authors.forename: Eduard Friedrich
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Stange
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lamadé