Open AccessCytomegalovirus enteritis mimicking Crohn’s disease in a lupus nephritis patient: A case report
Author(s) -
Faisal Nazir Khan,
Vinod K. Prasad,
Michael D. Klein
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.15.4327
Subject(s) - immunosuppression , medicine , lupus nephritis , ileitis , ganciclovir , cytomegalovirus , crohn's disease , enteritis , gastroenterology , systemic lupus erythematosus , immunology , disease , human cytomegalovirus , herpesviridae , virus , viral disease
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract has been reported in both immunocompetent and, more frequently, in immunocompromised patients. We describe a case of a 19-year-old male who developed CMV infection of the terminal ileum while receiving immunosuppression for lupus nephritis. This was a distinctly unusual site of infection which clinically mimicked Crohn's ileitis. We note that reports of terminal ileal CMV infection have been infrequent. Despite a complicated hospital course, ganciclovir therapy was effective in resolving his symptoms and normalizing his ileal mucosa. This report highlights the importance of accurate histological diagnosis and clinical follow-up of lupus patients with GI symptoms undergoing intense immunosuppression.