Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2015 Jan;34(1):13-18.
doi: 10.1007/s10096-014-2212-x. Epub 2014 Aug 6.

CMV in the gut: a critical review of CMV detection in the immunocompetent host with colitis

A L Goodman  1 , C D Murray  2 , J Watkins  3 , P D Griffiths  4 , D P Webster  4
Affiliations
Review

CMV in the gut: a critical review of CMV detection in the immunocompetent host with colitis

A L Goodman et al. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

As scientific techniques for the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) improve, we are able to detect small amounts of CMV in the mucosal wall. As clinicians, we are unsure how to interpret the results of this novel test. There is controversy in the literature as to the significance of the detection of CMV in the gut. Whilst the importance of CMV and reactivation of the virus is clear in those patients such as allograft recipients with established immune compromise, the role is less clear in patients with less damaged immune systems. We explore whether the detection of CMV in such cases influences outcome and how it should be optimally managed. We discuss the optimal management of such cases, according to current guidelines, with a review of the literature.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a and b show endoscopic appearances of the proximal ascending colon in our patient. c shows her histology and d shows histology from a patient with cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis and typical owl’s eye inclusion
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Proposed cycle of pathology
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Flow chart of suggested management
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Kornbluth A, Sachar DB, Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology Ulcerative colitis practice guidelines in adults: American College Of Gastroenterology, Practice Parameters Committee. Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105(3):501–523. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2009.727. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Galiatsatos P, Shrier I, Lamoureux E, Szilagyi A. Meta-analysis of outcome of cytomegalovirus colitis in immunocompetent hosts. Dig Dis Sci. 2005;50(4):609–616. doi: 10.1007/s10620-005-2544-6. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Rahier JF, Ben-Horin S, Chowers Y, et al. European evidence-based Consensus on the prevention, diagnosis and management of opportunistic infections in inflammatory bowel disease. J Crohns Colitis. 2009;3(2):47–91. doi: 10.1016/j.crohns.2009.02.010. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Klauber E, Briski LE, Khatib R. Cytomegalovirus colitis in the immunocompetent host: an overview. Scand J Infect Dis. 1998;30(6):559–564. doi: 10.1080/00365549850161098. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Chen YM, Hung YP, Huang CF et al (2013) Cytomegalovirus disease in nonimmunocompromised, human immunodeficiency virus-negative adults with chronic kidney disease. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. pii: S1684-1182(13)00026-1 - PubMed

MeSH terms