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Herpes simplex pancreatitis
Masayuki Shintaku1, Yasushi Umehara, Keiko Iwaisako
1Department of Pathology, Osaka Red Cross Hospital, Tennoji, Japan. shintaku@orion.ocn.ne.jp
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|February 4, 2003
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) pancreatitis is a rare condition. Autopsy findings reveal characteristic features distinct from other pancreatitis types, caused by HSV-1.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Viral pancreatitis is understudied due to low incidence.
- Histopathologic features of viral pancreatitis remain unclear.
Observation:
- Autopsy of two patients with disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection revealed pancreatic lesions.
- Pancreatic lesions included hemorrhagic necrosis without fat necrosis.
- Liver was the most severely affected organ.
Findings:
- Histopathology showed Cowdry type A intranuclear inclusions and nuclear ground-glass appearance in acinar cells.
- Immunohistochemistry and PCR confirmed the causative agent as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
- HSV pancreatitis presents distinct gross and histopathologic features, differentiating it from acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Implications:
- Herpes simplex virus pancreatitis is a rare but distinct pathological entity.
- Understanding these distinct features aids in diagnosing rare pancreatitis causes.
- Further research into viral pancreatitis pathogenesis is warranted.