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Proctitis and herpes simplex virus in homosexual men
The British Journal of Venereal Diseases
|April 1, 1980
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) proctitis in homosexual men can be identified by magnified rectal mucosal images. This visual indicator, showing severe inflammation, correlates with viral isolation, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Virology
Background:
- Rectal infections, including those caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), can affect homosexual men.
- Proctitis of unknown cause necessitates reliable diagnostic methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between magnified rectal mucosal appearance and the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.
- To assess the diagnostic utility of visual rectal mucosal examination for HSV proctitis.
Main Methods:
- A study involving homosexual men, including those with proctitis of unknown cause and a control group without proctitis.
- Rectal swabs were collected for HSV isolation.
- Magnified images of the rectal mucosa were obtained and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) was isolated from 5 of 77 men with proctitis of unknown cause.
- No HSV was isolated from 44 control patients without proctitis.
- Magnified rectal mucosal images revealed severe congestion, hemorrhage, and pus in cases of HSV proctitis, correlating with viral detection. Two of four men with HSV proctitis were asymptomatic.
Conclusions:
- Magnified rectal mucosal imaging is a sensitive indicator for detecting herpes simplex virus (HSV) proctitis.
- Visual examination of rectal mucosa can aid in the diagnosis of HSV proctitis, even in asymptomatic cases.