Treatment with acyclovir and nitazoxanide resulted in complete resolution of chronic diarrhoea and weight loss caused by norovirus and herpes simplex in an immunocompromised patient.
Case Report (n=1)
Does treatment with acyclovir and nitazoxanide resolve chronic diarrhoea and weight loss in an immunocompromised cardiac transplant patient with herpes simplex oesophagitis and norovirus infection?
This case highlights that norovirus can present as chronic diarrhoea in immunosuppressed cardiac transplant patients and responds to targeted antimicrobial therapy.
A 75-year-old man was admitted with a 3-month history of worsening diarrhoea and weight loss. He was on long-term immunosuppression following cardiac transplantation. Investigations revealed herpes simplex oesophagitis and stool samples were positive for norovirus. Treatment with acyclovir and nitazoxanide resulted in a complete resolution of symptoms. Norovirus is a common cause of infectious gastroenteritis, but immunosuppressed patients may present with chronic diarrhoea rather than an acute illness. This case highlights the importance of a low clinical threshold for testing for norovirus infection in immunocompromised patients.
Ashton et al. (Fri,) conducted a case report in Profound diarrhoea and weight loss (norovirus and herpes simplex infection) (n=1). Acyclovir and nitazoxanide was evaluated on Resolution of symptoms. Treatment with acyclovir and nitazoxanide resulted in complete resolution of chronic diarrhoea and weight loss caused by norovirus and herpes simplex in an immunocompromised patient.
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