title: Cytomegalovirus infection in patients with new onset ulcerative colitis: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Immunosuppressive therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC) may induce cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection or reactivation in the colonic mucosa and in turn exacerbate UC. However, it is unclear whether colonic inflammation itself affects CMV infection in UC. This prospective study evaluated the prevalence and clinical outcome of CMV infection in patients with new onset UC who have not been exposed to UC medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, multi-center study was conducted in 65 patients with new onset UC. The presence of CMV was evaluated by a serology test and a histopathological examination including immunohistochemical staining. The assessment of clinical outcome was performed based on CMV positivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence of CMV infection was found in three (4.5%) patients with UC. Two patients with moderate disease activity improved with 5-aminosalicylate or steroid treatment. One patient with severe active colitis, however, required antiviral therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CMV infection is rare in new onset UC, which suggests that use of immunosuppressive medications is an important risk factor for CMV infection in UC. However, CMV evaluation is necessary for severe active UC, even with new onset of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Korea.
authors.forename: You Sun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young-Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Joo Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cheon
authors.forename: Byong Duk
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Sung-Ae
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Young Sook
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Chang Hwan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Byung Ik
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Dong Soo
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Suk-Kyun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Won Ho
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents