Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: A 34-year-old healthy man was referred for colonoscopy due to tenesmus and rectal bleeding in the absence of systemic or immunosuppressive conditions. Incomplete bowel preparation limited the examination, but rectal inspection revealed a well-demarcated erythematous lesion with a granular, micronodular surface and fibrinous areas. The mucosa appeared friable and bled with minimal contact. The differential diagnosis included infectious and inflammatory etiologies. Histologic analysis showed granulation tissue with moderate lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, and C-reactive protein (CRP) confirmed Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2). This case underscores the importance of considering sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HSV in the differential diagnosis of rectal bleeding, even in immunocompetent individuals.
Source: LabMed
Authors: Elisabetta Bretto, Liseth Rivero-Sánchez
Institution: Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,207
OpenAlex ID: W7155063706