775e Active Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection of the Gastric Mucosa is Associated with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Pilot Case-Control Study

Abstract

Neurotropic herpes viruses establish lifelong latent infections in ganglionic neurons, including intrinsic enteric neurons and extrinsic neurons that project to the GI tract. Upon reactivation, virus replication within innervated tissues can result in enteric disorders such as herpetic gastritis, esophagitis, and enteric zoster. In animal models, enteric neuronal infection results in gut dysmotility, indicating herpesviruses may play a role in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Neurotropic herpesviruses have also been theorized to contribute to fibromyalgia (FM), a functional somatic syndrome frequently comorbid with IBS and other FGIDs. Because overlapping upper and lower GI symptoms are common in patients with FGIDs, we hypothesized an association of gastric herpesvirus infection with IBS and other FGIDs. We compared the prevalence of active gastric herpesvirus infection in patients with FGIDS, with and without comorbid FM, to that in controls.