A nasal hypertrophic lesion as a presentation of herpes simplex virus

Nasal Herpes Simplex With Infraorbital Neuralgia: A Rare Presentation

Facial herpes is a form of herpes simplex type I infection and presents with characteristic vesicular lesion around the perioral region. Nasal herpes, a form of facial herpes is a rare presentation with only a few cases reported in the literature. Neuralgic pain in herpes simplex is usually experienced at the site of the lesion during or before the eruptive stage. Here, we are reporting a case where the patient with a herpes simplex lesion over the tip of her nose presented with pain over the infraorbital region, which is a region supplied by the infraorbital nerve, a branch of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. Initially confused as a bacterial infection due to its unusual presentation and rarity of the condition, the patient was given anti-bacterial therapy, but on showing no relief in symptoms, the patient was treated with appropriate antiviral drugs, following which complete remission of the lesion was observed. The case highlights a rare site for a common condition and atypical presentation.

Herpes Proctitis in Men Mimicking Rectal Adenocarcinoma: Two Cases of an Easily Overlooked Diagnosis in the Proximal Rectum

We describe two cases of rectal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in men that clinically mimicked rectal adenocarcinoma. Herpes infection in this location more commonly presents as an anal mass with viral inclusions in squamous epithelial cells. We report these cases to increase awareness of the unusual presentation as a proximal rectal mass with viral inclusions in endothelial cell nuclei. One patient was HIV-positive, and the other one had a history of having sex with men (MSM). Both patients had a thickened rectal wall with prominent lymphadenopathy on computed tomography (CT) scan, suspecting for malignancy. Biopsy showed abundant granulation tissue, necrosis, and inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly of lymphocytes with admixed numerous plasma cells, eosinophils, and neutrophils. Rare granulation tissue vessels were lined by endothelial cells with nuclear molding and chromatin margination, and nuclei that were positive for HSV immunohistochemistry (IHC). One patient had confirmatory viral culture from biopsy of the ulcerated rectal mass. Both patients had symptom resolution following treatment for HSV. HSV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rectal inflammatory masses, particularly in immunocompromised, HIV-positive, and MSM patients.

Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Virus Co-Infection in an HIV-Negative Patient: A Case Report

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are commonly seen in immunocompromised patients, particularly in patients with HIV. However, fulminant CMV infection and concurrent infection with HSV and CMV in non-HIV patients are quite rare. We present the case of a 72-year-old HIV-negative man with a history of oropharyngeal carcinoma in remission and recent treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura with high-dose steroids who was transferred from an outside hospital for Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) evaluation of a non-healing buccal ulcer. During initial presentation, the patient was found to be febrile with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and a chest x-ray suggestive of bacterial pneumonia, though he failed to improve with broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. He underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy for dysphagia, which revealed a discrete ulcer positive for CMV. Biopsy of his buccal lesion was ultimately positive for HSV-1 and HSV-2. The patient's clinical status improved significantly following the initiation of antiviral therapy.It is important to consider CMV infection in the setting of persistent fever, respiratory distress, or dysphagia in the non-HIV infected patient, especially in the setting of prolonged steroid use. CMV and HSV infection can occur simultaneously at distinct sites in the body, and CMV infection may predispose to HSV reactivation due to its long term effect on cell-mediated immunity. Early recognition of opportunistic infections and initiation of antiviral therapy in immunocompromised patients can greatly affect length of hospital stay, morbidity, and, ultimately, mortality.

Inflammatory pseudotumor associated with HSV infection of rectal vascular endothelium in a patient with HIV: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) typically infects oral or anogenital squamous epithelium and causes blisters and ulcerations. Here we reported an unusual case of HSV induced exuberant rectal inflammatory pseudotumor with vascular endothelial involvement.

CASE PRESENTATIONS

A 52-year old man with HIV presented with abdominal pain, rectal drainage and constipation. Proctoscopy and CT scans revealed an 8 × 5 × 4 cm circumferential, mid-lower rectal mass that was concerning for malignancy. PET-CT showed mild to moderate FDG uptake of the rectal mass. Repeated biopsies showed exuberant lymphoplasmacytic inflammation with rich eosinophils and necrosis in the submucosa and scattered single or multi-nucleated viral inclusions in vascular endothelial cells that were positive for HSV by immunostains. There was no evidence of malignancy on histology or by immunostains. The patient started valacyclovir for three weeks and symptoms resolved after the antiviral therapy. Follow-up CT and sigmoidoscopy with biopsy revealed no rectal mass or drainable collection.

CONCLUSIONS

HSV may present as proctitis with exuberant inflammatory response and mass-like lesion, and damages vascular endothelial cells in patients with HIV. The HSV-associated mass-like lesion can be effectively treated by 3-week valacyclovir.