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Herpes simplex virus type 1 colitis in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency syndrome
Xavier Dray1, Xavier Treton, Marie-Christine Mazeron
1Service de Gastroentérologie et d'Assistance Nutritive, Hôpital Lariboisière, 2 rue Ambroise Parè, 75475 Paris cedex 10, France. xavier.dray@lrb.aphp.fr
European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|April 12, 2006
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 colitis occurred in an immunocompromised patient. Antiviral treatment with valaciclovir achieved clinical remission and mucosal healing, highlighting the need to test for HSV in similar colitis cases.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Common variable immunodeficiency syndrome (CVID) can impair both humoral and cellular immunity.
- Patients with CVID presenting with colitis require thorough investigation for opportunistic infections.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old patient with CVID developed chronic diarrhea and ulcerations.
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 was identified in colonic biopsies.
- The patient had previously discontinued polyvalent immunoglobulin treatment.
Findings:
- Valaciclovir treatment led to rapid clinical remission and histological mucosal healing.
- HSV was undetectable by PCR in colonic tissue post-treatment.
- Readministration of intravenous polyvalent immunoglobulins was tolerated.
Implications:
- HSV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of colitis in CVID patients.
- Prompt antiviral therapy is effective in managing HSV colitis in immunocompromised individuals.
- Understanding immune defects in CVID is crucial for managing infectious complications.
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