Can duodenal ulcer perforation be linked to herpes simplex virus infection?

Both Herpes simplex infection and duodenal ulcer recur frequently, tend to remain localized, and show remissions and exacerbations. Published data on a link between the two are contradictory, and there are no data on the association of Herpes simplex infection with perforated duodenal ulcer.

187 patients in four groups were studied: group I--controls (n = 35), group II--non-ulcer dyspepsia (n = 35), group III--chronic non-perforated duodenal ulcer (n = 35), and group IV--perforated duodenal ulcer (n = 82). Titers of IgG antibodies against HSV-1 and HSV-2 were determined using enzyme immunoassays.

The seropositivity rate for both HSV-1 (80%) and HSV-2 (77%) was high in the control population. Among patients with perforated duodenal ulcer, antibodies against HSV-1 (94%) but not those against HSV-2 (83%), were found more frequently than in groups I and III. HSV-1 seropositivity was significantly higher in patients with a short duration of preperforation symptoms. Absolute titers for both anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2 were higher in patients with perforated duodenal ulcer than in controls and those with chronic non-perforated duodenal ulcer.

Herpes simplexvirus, especially HSV-1, may have a role in the causation of perforated duodenal ulcers.