HSV immunostain demonstrates numerous infected cells in an ulcer from a case of herpes esophagitis.
Image courtesy of: Jian-Hua Qiao, MD; used with permission.
About the Disease
Esophageal infections can be caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The most common agents are Candida, Herpes Simplex Virus, and Cytomegalovirus. In South America, Trypanosoma cruzi is an important cause of esophagitis leading to megaesophagus.