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Cytomegalovirus causing necrotizing laryngitis in a renal and cardiac transplant recipient
M López-Amado1, M T Yebra-Pimentel, A García-Sarandeses
1Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Juan Canalejo, Le Coruña, Spain.
Background:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common opportunistic pathogen in transplant recipients; however, cytomegaloviral laryngitis is extremely rare.
Methods:
We present a case of disseminated CMV infection and ulcerating necrotizing laryngitis situated in the subglottis of an immunocompromised patient with a renal and cardiac transplant. The patient was initially seen with discomfort in the throat.
Results:
Physical examination of the head and neck, fiberoptic laryngoscopy, and CT scan of the larynx were normal. Histopathology of a laryngeal ulcer in the subglottic region showed intranuclear and intracytoplasmic bodies. Immunoperoxidase stain and in situ hybridization studies were positive for CMV.
Conclusions:
In immunosuppressed patients with persistent throat symptoms, the systematic exploration of larynx and bronchus is necessary to rule out the presence of opportunistic infections.