SPECIFIC IDENTIFICATION OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS IN HUMAN ESOPHAGUS WITH RAPID IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION IN 5 CASES

HUMAN herpes simplex virus esophagitis (HSVE) was first reported in 1940 by Johnson.1 HSVE usually occurs in immunoeompromised patients,such as those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS), 2-4 malignancies, cutaneous bums, connective tissue diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, those taking immuno-suppressive therapy, and those undergoing organ transplanta-tion,5 etc. In the immunocompetent individuals, HSVE is rare, having been reported in 39 cases and mainly affecting young males.6,7 The aim of this study was to delineate the clinical experience in the diagnosis of HSVE using rapid in situ hybridization and assess the various detection methods.