Cytomegalovirus appendicitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a case report

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection occurs predominantly in immunocompromised hosts. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients is frequent. Nevertheless, CMV appendicitis is exceeding rare. This report describes a patient with AIDS who presented with right lower quadrant abdominal pain, high fever, nausea and vomiting, but without leukocytosis. Diagnosis of CMV appendicitis was confirmed by appendectomy and histopathological examination. Problems related to the diagnosis and therapeutic management of CMV appendicitis in AIDS patients are discussed. The importance of early surgical intervention is emphasized, as is postoperative ganciclovir therapy for treatment of such patients.