Open AccessCytomegalovirus-associated colitis causing diarrhea in an immunocompetent patient
Author(s) -
Dan Carter,
David Olchovsky,
Russell Pokroy,
David Ezra
Publication year - 2006
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.v12.i42.6898
Subject(s) - cytomegalovirus , colitis , colonoscopy , medicine , diarrhea , betaherpesvirinae , immunology , differential diagnosis , titer , gastroenterology , human cytomegalovirus , immunocompetence , herpesviridae , pathology , viral disease , virus , immune system , colorectal cancer , cancer
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis rarely occurs in immunocompetent patients. We report a case of disabling and life threatening diarrhea in an immunocompetent elderly woman due to CMV colitis. The diagnosis of CMV was based on histological examination of tissues biopsied at colonoscopy, positive CMV antigen and high CMV-IgM titer in peripheral blood samples and a good response to systemic gancyclovir treatment. We conclude that CMV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of colitis in elderly immunocompetent patients.