Herpes Simplex Proctitis Mimicking Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Teenaged Male

We report the case of a 17-year-old male who was initially assessed for pain with defecation, bloody rectal discharge, and diarrhea, consistent with proctitis. Though proctitis is most commonly due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infectious etiologies must also be considered, including sexually...

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Main Authors: Kristen E. Sandgren, Nathan B. Price, Warren P. Bishop, Patrick J. McCarthy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Pediatrics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/3547230
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author Kristen E. Sandgren
Nathan B. Price
Warren P. Bishop
Patrick J. McCarthy
author_facet Kristen E. Sandgren
Nathan B. Price
Warren P. Bishop
Patrick J. McCarthy
author_sort Kristen E. Sandgren
collection DOAJ
description We report the case of a 17-year-old male who was initially assessed for pain with defecation, bloody rectal discharge, and diarrhea, consistent with proctitis. Though proctitis is most commonly due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infectious etiologies must also be considered, including sexually transmitted causes of infectious proctitis. In discussion of his sexual history, he identified as homosexual and acknowledged engaging in receptive anal intercourse. Rectal biopsies obtained via colonoscopy were culture-positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV), leading to a diagnosis of HSV proctitis and treatment with an appropriate antiviral medication. HSV proctitis is more common in individuals with high-risk sexual practices, including men who have sex with men. While this may be an uncommon diagnosis for pediatricians to make in practice, a high clinical index of suspicion for sexually transmitted infectious proctitis in those with risk factors must be maintained in order to facilitate appropriate testing, treatment, and counseling of affected individuals.
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series Case Reports in Pediatrics
spelling doaj-art-386518202f8d4eaeac97383278fd12772025-02-03T06:11:11ZengWileyCase Reports in Pediatrics2090-68032090-68112017-01-01201710.1155/2017/35472303547230Herpes Simplex Proctitis Mimicking Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Teenaged MaleKristen E. Sandgren0Nathan B. Price1Warren P. Bishop2Patrick J. McCarthy3Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAStead Family Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAStead Family Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAStead Family Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAWe report the case of a 17-year-old male who was initially assessed for pain with defecation, bloody rectal discharge, and diarrhea, consistent with proctitis. Though proctitis is most commonly due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infectious etiologies must also be considered, including sexually transmitted causes of infectious proctitis. In discussion of his sexual history, he identified as homosexual and acknowledged engaging in receptive anal intercourse. Rectal biopsies obtained via colonoscopy were culture-positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV), leading to a diagnosis of HSV proctitis and treatment with an appropriate antiviral medication. HSV proctitis is more common in individuals with high-risk sexual practices, including men who have sex with men. While this may be an uncommon diagnosis for pediatricians to make in practice, a high clinical index of suspicion for sexually transmitted infectious proctitis in those with risk factors must be maintained in order to facilitate appropriate testing, treatment, and counseling of affected individuals.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/3547230
spellingShingle Kristen E. Sandgren
Nathan B. Price
Warren P. Bishop
Patrick J. McCarthy
Herpes Simplex Proctitis Mimicking Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Teenaged Male
Case Reports in Pediatrics
title Herpes Simplex Proctitis Mimicking Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Teenaged Male
title_full Herpes Simplex Proctitis Mimicking Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Teenaged Male
title_fullStr Herpes Simplex Proctitis Mimicking Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Teenaged Male
title_full_unstemmed Herpes Simplex Proctitis Mimicking Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Teenaged Male
title_short Herpes Simplex Proctitis Mimicking Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Teenaged Male
title_sort herpes simplex proctitis mimicking inflammatory bowel disease in a teenaged male
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/3547230
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