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Published on: July 6, 2013
Cytomegalovirus enteritis causing ileal perforation in an elderly immunocompetent individual
Jae Myung Cha1, Joung Il Lee, Jae Won Choe
1Department of Internal Medicine, East-West Neo Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. dramc@hanmail.net
Yonsei Medical Journal
|March 2, 2010
Summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis can cause severe complications like ileal perforation in elderly individuals, even if they are immunocompetent. This case highlights the importance of considering CMV in older adults with persistent diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is typically asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals.
- However, CMV can cause severe illness in immunocompromised populations and, rarely, in the elderly.
Observation:
- An 88-year-old, physically active, immunocompetent man presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea.
- Initial conservative management failed, necessitating an emergency laparotomy for ileal perforation.
Findings:
- Histological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed CMV enteritis.
- The findings included characteristic large cells with intranuclear CMV inclusion bodies.
Implications:
- CMV enteritis poses a significant risk for life-threatening complications, such as bowel perforation, in elderly immunocompetent individuals.
- It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of refractory diarrhea in this demographic.
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