A Rare Case of Herpes Esophagitis in an Immunocompetent Elderly Patient

Abstract

Herpes esophagitis is common among immunocompromised hosts but is relatively rare among immunocompetent patients. Its symptoms are vague because many different symptoms can be induced by esophageal lesions. Here, we report a case of herpes esophagitis in an elderly immunocompetent patient. A 91-year-old woman visited our community hospital with a complaint of appetite loss for several days. Although she did not have any symptoms of epigastric, oral, or retrosternal pain, multiple ulcers were detected in her esophagus. Biopsy of the edge of the ulcer showed giant cells, indicating a herpes virus infection. She was diagnosed with herpes esophagitis and treated with acyclovir for one week. Her symptoms completely resolved after treatment, and she was discharged. Herpes esophagitis can manifest as vague symptoms in immunocompetent elderly patients. Therefore, herpes esophagitis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of elderly patients presenting with vague symptoms.