Cytomegalovirus inclusions in patients with ulcerative colitis and toxic dilation requiring colonic resection

Microscopic examination of 50 colon resection specimens from 46 patients with ulcerative colitis revealed 6 patients whose colons contained intranuclear inclusions characteristic for cytomegalovirus (CMV). All patients were male, 47 years of age or older, and all had marked severe and fulminating courses. Five of the 6 patients had toxic dilation of the colon. Three of our patients had received no steroid therapy before their toxic dilation, however, all received steroids during attempts at medical management. Two other patients were found to have toxic dilation of the colon among our 46 patients, however, no evidence of CMV could be found in these 2 cases. There were 6 patients without toxic dilation whose colon specimens showed destructive inflammation and granulation tissue extending into the muscularis propria or transmurally. None of the colons from these 6 patients contained CMV inclusions. In our patients, the finding of CMV may be coincidental, but it is suggested that in our group of patients with ulcerative colitis, the CMV may play a role in altering the clinical course of these patients.