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Cytomegalovirus enteritis in an immunocompetent host
Constantinos L Petrogiannopoulos1, Sotirios G Kalogeropoulos, Dimitrios C Dandakis
12nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Chemotherapy
|December 21, 2004
Summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enterocolitis, typically seen in immunocompromised individuals, rarely affects healthy people. This case highlights a rare instance of CMV enterocolitis in an immunocompetent patient, confirmed by histology and serology.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enterocolitis is a known complication in immunocompromised patients.
- Diagnosis in immunocompetent individuals is rare, presenting diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 60-year-old healthy woman presented with acute abdominal pain, fever, and bloody diarrhea.
- Conservative management failed, necessitating enterectomy due to jejunal perforation.
Findings:
- Histological examination and high-titer anti-CMV IgM antibodies confirmed CMV enterocolitis.
- The patient experienced an uneventful recovery and a 2-year follow-up.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering CMV enterocolitis even in immunocompetent patients with severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Highlights the need for prompt diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent severe complications like perforation.