title: Cytomegalovirus-associated colitis causing diarrhea in an immunocompetent patient.
abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis rarely occurs in immunocompetent patients. We report a case of disabling and life threatening diarrhea in an immunocompetent elderly woman due to CMV colitis. The diagnosis of CMV was based on histological examination of tissues biopsied at colonoscopy, positive CMV antigen and high CMV-IgM titer in peripheral blood samples and a good response to systemic gancyclovir treatment. We conclude that CMV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of colitis in elderly immunocompetent patients.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine A, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. carterd@zahav.net.il
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Olchovsky
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pokroy
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ezra
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003092:Colitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D003106:Colon / Q000821:virology; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence / Q000276:immunology*