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Published on: July 6, 2013

[Cytomegalovirus infection causing protracted diarrhea in an immunocompetent child]

E Ramos Boluda1, M Molina Arias, J Sarría Osses

  • 1Servicio de Gastroenterología, Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Infantil Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain. eramosb.hulp@salud.madrid.org

Anales De Pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003)
|May 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cytomegalovirus infection, usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals, can cause severe protracted diarrhea in infants. Prompt ganciclovir treatment led to a full recovery in an immunocompetent infant.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus with significant implications for immunocompromised individuals.
  • In immunocompetent hosts, CMV infections are typically asymptomatic, presenting a diagnostic challenge when atypical symptoms arise.

Observation:

  • A case is presented of a 3-month-old infant with no known immunodeficiency.
  • The infant experienced prolonged diarrhea, necessitating parenteral nutrition due to severe malabsorption and dehydration.

Findings:

  • Despite being immunocompetent, the infant was diagnosed with Cytomegalovirus infection.
  • Treatment with ganciclovir, an antiviral medication, resulted in complete resolution of the protracted diarrhea.
  • The infant experienced no residual complications following the ganciclovir therapy.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for Cytomegalovirus to cause severe gastrointestinal illness in seemingly healthy infants.
  • It underscores the importance of considering viral etiologies, including CMV, in cases of unexplained protracted diarrhea in pediatric populations.
  • Early diagnosis and antiviral treatment with ganciclovir can lead to favorable outcomes, even in immunocompetent hosts presenting with severe symptoms.

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