An Unexpected Cause of Acute Abdomen Late After Heart Transplantation-A Case Report

Transplant Proc. 2023 Jul-Aug;55(6):1451-1453. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.03.002. Epub 2023 Apr 10.

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a frequent complication after a solid organ transplant, and in 86% of the cases, CMV disease occurred during the first 6 months after transplantation. Invasive CMV infections may be present as ulcerative infections of the upper gastrointestinal tract with esophagitis, gastritis, and ulcerations of the duodenum and the small bowel; however, CMV infections of the pancreatobiliary system, especially papillitis, are rarely observed. We present a case report of a man who underwent a heart transplant 6 years before, with a clinical picture of duodenitis and a simultaneous pseudotumor of major duodenal papilla who developed signs of acute abdomen caused by gastrointestinal CMV infection, successfully treated with medical therapy with valganciclovir. There is an urgent need for developments in CMV and solid organ transplantation to stratify the risk of late-onset CMV disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen, Acute* / complications
  • Abdomen, Acute* / etiology
  • Ampulla of Vater*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections* / complications
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections* / diagnosis
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections* / drug therapy
  • Ganciclovir / therapeutic use
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases*
  • Heart Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Valganciclovir / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Valganciclovir
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ganciclovir