[Herpes simplex virus type II infection as an exophytic endobronchial tumor].

We report the case of a 52 year-old homosexual AIDS patients suffering from Herpes simplex virus type II infection of the esophagus and the bronchial system. The chest radiograph revealed a homogeneous, well-defined consolidation of the right upper lobe. Gastroscopy showed an ulcer of the esophagus and gastritis of the antrum. Bronchoscopically, marked necrotizing tracheobronchitis and an exophytic tumour causing complete blockage of the apical segment of the right upper lobe were demonstrated. Histological examination of the biopsy specimens of the esophagus and of the bronchus revealed Herpes simplex virus type II infection of both organs. The patient was treated by acyclovir for 2 weeks. 6 weeks after the diagnosis of acute Herpes simplex virus type II infection had been established, the patient died as a result of a highly malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the cerebellum. Autopsy showed no remaining endobronchial tumour. Histological examination of the bronchus showed no evidence of viral infection or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. An endobronchial tumour caused by Herpes simplex virus type II infection has not been described up to now.