Achalasia in a patient with HIV/HCV coinfection

Abstract

Esophageal involvement in the context of opportunistic infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients is a frequent phenomenon. However, worldwide esophageal achalasia has been described only twice in HIV-infected patients.We report the case of a 44-year-old Caucasian patient with HIV and Hepatitis C virus (HIV/HCV) coinfection who, within 2.5 years, displayed a progressive symptomatology with dysphagia, retrosternal pain, regurgitation as well as a considerable loss of weight before achalasia was finally diagnosed. Treatment was performed primarily surgically by means of laparoscopic Heller myotomy with an anterior 180° semifundoplication according to Dor.Histopathology of the specimens taken from the lower esophageal sphincter high-pressure zone proved alterations with abundant connective tissue and only scarce parts of the smooth muscular system without inflammatory infiltrations. In addition, the ganglia cells of the myenteric plexus as well as the interstitial cells of Cajal were significantly reduced. Interestingly, specific gene sequences of the hepatitis C virus could be detected in the esophageal tissue specimen. In contrast, analysis of specific HIV-gene sequences in the same tissue revealed a negative result.The possible but previously unknown relationship between esophageal achalasia and coinfection with HIV and HCV, also described as neurotropic viruses, will be discussed.

Is There Any Evidence for a Viral Cause in Achalasia?

“…1,8 To address these shortcomings, a few studies have hypothesized that some neurotropic viruses and autoimmune factors might cause the inflammatory response in myenteric network and eventually lead to achalasia. 7,9-11 Cytomegaloviruses ( CMV ), varicella-zoster virus ( VZV ), 12 measles virus , 13 polio , 14 herpes simplex virus 1 ( HSV1 ), 15 and bornavirus 16 are among possible viral triggers. …”