Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in Patient with Ulcerative Colitis

 

Risk factors:

(1) long-term or high dose corticosteroid therapy

(2) other immunosuppressive therapies

 

Complications may include:

(1) toxic megacolon

(2) disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

(3) viral pneumonia

(4) multi-organ failure (MOF)

 

Diagnosis may be made by:

(1) viral culture

(2) identification of intranuclear inclusions in infected cells seen on biopsy

(3) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

 

Therapy may involve:

(1) discontinuation of immunosuppressive therapy

(2) therapy with gancyclovir

(3) partial or total colectomy if toxic megacolon develops