title: Phantom cytomegalovirus infection in vasculitis patients: what it means and what to do.
abstract: We report our experience and hypothesis on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with vasculitis who are simultaneously diagnosed with serum-positive cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies and negative CMV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It remains unknown how to treat this kind of "phantom" CMV infection. In a patient diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein vasculitis, CMV IgM titers were increased while angiitis and renal function deteriorated. Empiric treatment of phantom CMV infection with ganciclovir in this CMV IgM-positive and PCR-negative patient resulted in complete vasculitis remission, serum CMV antibody seroconversion, and renal function improvement. These results imply something more than coincidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Katsanos
authors.forename: Aggeliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kostoula
authors.forename: Konstantinos P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Katopodis
authors.forename: Kostas C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Siamopoulos
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015774:Ganciclovir