Cytomegalovirus associated longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and acute hepatitis in an immunocompetent adult

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus can cause severe disease in immunocompromised patients including encephalomyelitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis, colitis and retinitis. CMV induced myelitis and hepatitis are rare in immunocompetent patients. Following a thorough search on the literature using pubmed, there were only 10 well documented CMV-induced transverse myelitis cases reported worldwide. We report a healthy young male who developed longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis and acute hepatitis secondary to CMV infection. Our case is different from the other cases as our patient had concurrent acute hepatitis and received plasma exchange therapy (PLEX) in addition to pulsed steroids and antivirals. The patient recovered well and had an excellent outcome.