Cytomegalovirus ischemic colitis of a diabetic renal transplant recipient

Clin Transplant. 2004 Feb;18(1):100-4. doi: 10.1046/j.0902-0063.2003.00108.x.

Abstract

We report a diabetic renal transplant recipient with cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease who presented with tarry stool diarrhea because of multiple colonic ulcerations. Histopathology revealed diffuse colonic ulcers following a process of ischemic vasculitis. The colonic ulcers disappeared dramatically after 2 wk of intravenous ganciclovir therapy. Hyper-immunosuppression was initially suspected but acute rejection (AR) developed after immunosuppressive reduction during the ganciclovir therapy. The AR was successfully reversed and the dosage of cyclosporine was returned to the same level prior to the onset of CMV disease. Our experience suggests that ganciclovir is quite effective for healing colonic ulcers caused by CMV and acute allograft rejection may occur during therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Colitis, Ischemic / drug therapy
  • Colitis, Ischemic / virology*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / surgery*
  • Ganciclovir / therapeutic use*
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy
  • Postoperative Complications / virology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Ganciclovir