Isolated cytomegalovirus ileitis detected by colonoscopy

Cytomegalovirus infections in immunocompromised patients mimic graft-versus-host disease by causing abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, and protein-losing enteropathy. The cases of three bone marrow transplant patients with diarrheal illness and biopsy-proven graft-vs.-host disease are reported. Isolated cytomegalovirus enteritis was subsequently identified by endoscopic examination and biopsy of the terminal ileum. All three improved with the eventual institution of 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl) guanine. Ileoscopy is important in addition to colonoscopy in bone marrow transplant patients with diarrhea if cytomegalovirus enteritis is to be identified and appropriately treated.