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Infectious esophagitis caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) is known to occur in immunocompromised patients. Although primary infection is unusual, reactivation of latent infection is more common. Infectious esophagitis also occurs in immunocompetent individuals, but the specific characteristics and clinical data for this group of patients are not well defined. Researchers in this study reviewed 38 case studies of immunocompetent individuals with HSV esophagitis identified through a MEDLINE search dating to 1966.
Patients were excluded if their diagnosis was based solely on the isolation of HSV from oral specimens alone or if they had other esophageal disorders. Most affected individuals were male (76 percent) and younger than 40 (79 percent…