Cathomas M, Rosenberg R, Burri E, Javier-Gonzalez M, Weber A, Filipowicz Sinnreich M, Cathomas G, Galli R. Herpes simplex virus colitis mimicking acute severe ulcerative colitis: a case report and review of the literature.
J Surg Case Rep 2023;
2023:rjad225. [PMID:
37124571 PMCID:
PMC10139777 DOI:
10.1093/jscr/rjad225]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A 60-year-old female patient with longstanding left-sided ulcerative colitis presented with symptoms mimicking an acute flare and developed a colonic perforation shortly after starting steroid treatment. Following left hemicolectomy and Hartmann's procedure, rescue treatment with infliximab was started. Within a few days, the patient developed hepatic failure. Histology and immunohistochemistry of the specimen revealed extensive necrotizing herpes simplex virus colitis, and liver biopsy demonstrated herpes simplex virus hepatitis. Sixteen days after admission, the patient died from multiorgan failure. This compelling case of severe herpes simplex virus colitis raises awareness of a rare but potentially detrimental infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
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