Esophagitis in a Post-Liver Transplant Patient: A Case of Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Coinfection

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-2024

Publication Title

American Journal of Gastroenterology

Abstract

Introduction: Infectious esophagitis is the third most common cause of esophagitis, after gastroesophageal reflux disease and eosinophilic esophagitis. Common infectious organisms include candida, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). While the occurrence of CMV esophagitis is rare in CMV infected patients, there remains minimal reported cases regarding CMV/HSV esophagitis coinfection. We present a rare case of CMV/HSV esophagitis successfully treated with antivirals. Case Description/Methods: A 59-year-old woman with history of primary sclerosing cholangitis, who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation from a CMV seropositive donor 6 years ago, and achalasia secondary to scleroderma, treated with esophageal perusal endoscopic myotomy (EPOEM) one year ago, presented with a one-week history of dysphagia. The patient’s immunosuppressive therapy at the time of presentation included prednisone, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate. The patient had negative CMV serology prior. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed severe esophagitis with extensive serpiginous and confluent non-bleeding ulceration (Figure 1A, B, C). Biopsies from the ulcer bed as well as ulcer edges confirmed CMV and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) co-infection. CMV quantitation in the blood was 9,523 IU/mL, subsequently becoming undetectable following treatment with valganciclovir. Mycophenolate was temporarily discontinued during treatment for CMV and HSV esophagitis. A repeat EGD performed 2 months later showed esophageal ulcers with no recent bleeding stigmata (Figure 1D). Biopsies revealed candida esophagitis with ulceration, and notably, CMV/HSV testing was negative. Discussion: CMV/HSV co-infection in the esophagus is very rare and can be associated with higher complication rates including perforation and bleeding. Thus, in immunocompromised hosts with esophagitis, a high index of suspicion for these conditions can help with targeting of appropriate biopsies of the esophagus to yield accurate and early diagnoses, allowing for rapid treatment.

Volume

119

Issue

10S

First Page

S2222

Comments

American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting, October 25-30, 2024, Philadelphia, PA

Last Page

S2223

DOI

10.14309/01.ajg.0001042648.88733.e9

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