Gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus infection in collagen diseases

Tokai J Exp Clin Med. 2003 Apr;28(1):35-8.

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus infection of the gastrointestinal tract is a rare serious complication in patients with collagen diseases receiving immunosuppressive agents. We report 3 such cases diagnosed by endoscopy followed by proper treatment. The patients include 38 and 53 years old females with systemic lupus erythematosus. They presented epigastric pain after pulse steroid therapy and combination therapy with steroids and cyclophosphamide, respectively. Their endoscopical findings were multiple small gastric erosions. The other patient was a 60-year-old female with polymyositis who developed rectal bleeding after steroid and imuran therapy. Her endoscopical finding was a discrete, irregular rectal ulcer. The diagnosis of all the patients was confirmed by biopsies of those lesions showing giant cell inclusion bodies and positive staining with anti- cytomegalovirus -antibodies. All patients were treated properly with ganciclovir. We should always keep in mind of a cytomegalovirus infection of the gastrointestinal tract in a patient with collagen disease receiving immunosuppressive agents.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Collagen Diseases / complications*
  • Collagen Diseases / drug therapy
  • Collagen Diseases / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / etiology*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymyositis / complications
  • Polymyositis / drug therapy
  • Polymyositis / immunology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents