Cytomegalovirus infection in patients with active ulcerative colitis: a prospective observational study

The role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in the course of inflammatory bowel disease is still controversial. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the course of ulcerative colitis in patients with exacerbation, in whom CMV status was examined using immunohistochemistry of bowel biopsies.

In a single centre, we followed-up consecutive patients admitted for moderate or severe ulcerative colitis flare between 2016 and 2019. Colectomies, repeated hospitalisations, major treatment modifications, and quality of life (QoL) were recorded. The relationship between categorical variables was examined with the χ2 statistical test or Fisher's exact test.

Of 84 patients, 16 (19%) were CMV-positive. A Mayo endoscopic score of 3 was more frequent in CMV-positive than CMV-negative patients (81.2 vs. 51.5%; P  = 0.048) as was corticosteroid treatment (81.2 vs. 54.4%; P  = 0.015). Median follow-up was 2.1 years (range: 0.3-3.6 years). Colectomy was performed in 20 (23.8%) patients, with similar rates in CMV-positive (25%) and CMV-negative patients (23.5%; P  = 1.0). Similarly, no differences were found in the frequency of hospitalisation and QoL. The percentage of patients who started biological treatment was higher in the CMV-negative than in the CMV-positive group (58.8 vs. 18.8%; P  = 0.005).

CMV infection was present in 19% of consecutive patients hospitalised for ulcerative colitis flare. Corticosteroid treatment and severe endoscopic lesions were observed more often in patients CMV-positive. In the following 2.1 years, the colectomy rate did not differ between patients CMV-positive and CMV-negative. Routine screening for CMV in ulcerative colitis exacerbation is not advisable.