Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
06:51
Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
Published on: December 10, 2016
[Clostridium difficile and cytomegalovirus involved in a case of pseudomembranous colitis]
Coralith García1, Juan Velarde, Hugo Cedron
1Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander con Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú. 03345@upch.edu.pe
Abstract:
We report an unusual case of pseudomembranous colitis with fatal outcome where C. difficile and cytomegalovirus coexistense in a Peruvian patient with AIDS and gastrointestinal compromise by a mycobacterium.
Insights
This case study details a fatal pseudomembranous colitis in an AIDS patient coinfected with Clostridioides difficile and cytomegalovirus, alongside a mycobacterial gastrointestinal infection.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Pseudomembranous colitis is a severe intestinal inflammation often linked to Clostridioides difficile infection.
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and mycobacterial infections are significant opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with advanced HIV/AIDS.
- Gastrointestinal compromise in AIDS patients can stem from various opportunistic infections, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
Observation:
- A Peruvian patient with advanced AIDS presented with severe gastrointestinal symptoms and was diagnosed with pseudomembranous colitis.
- Diagnostic investigations revealed a coinfection with Clostridioides difficile and cytomegalovirus (CMV).
- The patient also had a concurrent gastrointestinal infection caused by a Mycobacterium species.
Findings:
- The coexistence of Clostridioides difficile, cytomegalovirus, and Mycobacterium species in a single patient with AIDS represents a rare and complex clinical scenario.
- The combined infectious burden likely contributed to the severe gastrointestinal compromise and the pseudomembranous colitis.
- The case highlights the challenges in managing multiple opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering coinfections in immunocompromised patients presenting with severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Early and comprehensive diagnostic workup is crucial for identifying multiple pathogens, including C. difficile, CMV, and mycobacteria.
- Understanding the synergistic or additive effects of these pathogens is vital for developing effective treatment strategies and improving outcomes in complex AIDS-related gastrointestinal disease.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
01:18Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota
The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
01:27Diverticular Disease of the Colon
Diverticular disease involves the formation of diverticula—small sac-like outpouchings of the colonic wall—and their complications. It most commonly affects the sigmoid colon due to higher intraluminal pressure and structural vulnerability. It results from structural weakness and increased pressure in the colon, producing pseudodiverticula that may remain silent or progress to inflammation and serious complications.Structure of DiverticulaIn diverticulosis, these outpouchings are...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...