title: Cytomegalovirus and inflammatory bowel disease: is there a link?
abstract: The objective of this report is to give an overall view of the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A review of published reports on this topic was carried out, with particular attention paid to the selection of patients included in studies and the diagnostic methods employed. CMV is frequently associated with IBD. In some cases, CMV infection is associated with a poor outcome but it is not clear which patients are more likely to be affected and in which stage of the disease. The use of anti-viral therapy in IBD is controversial and an empirical study with controls is needed. The natural history of CMV infection related to the development and treatment of IBD has not been clarified but it is important to take it in consideration because of the possibility of viral persistence in the immunocompromised host and viral interaction with the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, University of Palermo, V. Cervello Hospital Via Trabucco 180, Palermo 90100, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Criscuoli
authors.forename: Maria-Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rizzuto
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cottone
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents