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Cytomegalovirus in upper gastrointestinal ulcers
R N Murray1, A Parker, S C Kadakia
1Gastroenterology Service, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas 78234-6200.
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) rarely infects gastroduodenal ulcers in immunocompetent individuals. This study found no evidence of CMV in these patients, suggesting it
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) commonly causes severe infections in immunocompromised patients.
- CMV can lead to gastrointestinal ulcerations, but cases in immunocompetent hosts are rare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of CMV in gastroduodenal ulcers of immunocompetent patients.
- To determine if CMV is a significant factor in peptic or NSAID-induced ulcer disease.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 38 immunocompetent patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
- Biopsies from ulcer bases and margins analyzed via histology, viral culture, and monoclonal antibody testing.
Main Results:
- No evidence of CMV infection was detected in any of the 38 patients.
- CMV was not found even in ulcers associated with NSAID use.
Conclusions:
- CMV infection is uncommon in the gastrointestinal tract of immunocompetent patients with gastroduodenal ulcers.
- CMV is not a significant factor in routine peptic or NSAID-induced ulcer disease.
- Finding CMV in gastroduodenal ulcers warrants investigation for an underlying immunocompromised state.