Herpetic esophagitis: An uncommon cause of dysphagia

Herpes simplex esophagitis usually occurs in immune-compromised patients. We report a case of 44 year-old lady without any immune deficient state, who presented with dysphagia and retrosternal pain. Upper GI endoscopy revealed multiple punched out ulcers in esophagus. Biopsy from these ulcers revealed intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies and multinucleated epithelial giant cells suggestive of herpetic esophagitis. Serum HSV-1 IgM antibodies was positive. Dysphagia improved on treatment with acyclovir.