3069 CMV Colitis Presenting as Chronic Non-Remitting Diarrhea and Anemia

• Published in: The American journal of gastroenterology Vol. 114; no. 1; pp. S1652 - S1653
• Main Authors: Bsrat, Makda, Kassim, Gassan, Rastogi, Neelesh, Rogers, Steven
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-10-2019
• ISSN: 0002-9270; 1572-0241
• DOI: 10.14309/01.ajg.0000601808.81770.ee

INTRODUCTION:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common infection in immunocompromised patients including solid organ transplant patients. CMV infection of the GI tract can present in various ways. We present a case of chronic diarrhea of one-year duration associated with anemia.
CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS:
A 56 year old female with a past medical history of hypertension, end stage renal disease with renal transplant in 2004 (maintained on cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone) presented to the emergency room with generalized weakness of 4-days duration. The patient further endorsed significant weight loss and gradually progressive watery diarrhea that initially was postprandial and had been present for about one year. The symptoms persisted despite treatment with anti-diarrheal agents. The patient was also found to have anemia that began around a similar time as the diarrhea, and required multiple admissions for blood transfusions. She denied melena, hematochezia, fevers or chills. During prior admissions, fecal occult blood tests were negative and stool studies were unrevealing. On admission, the patient was found to have hemoglobin (Hgb) of 5.4 g/dL, acute kidney injury and metabolic acidosis. Fecal occult blood test was positive. Colonoscopy revealed diffuse pan colonic erythematous inflamed mucosa with rectal sparing and no evidence of punched-out ulcers (see Figures 1 and 2). Qualitative CMV polymerase chain reaction study was positive. Hematoxylin and Eosin stained biopsies were inconclusive for inclusion bodies. Immunohistochemical staining for CMV was positive for scattered reactive cells. CMV colitis was diagnosed. Patient was treated with oral valganciclovir leading to complete symptom resolution, improvement of anemia and weight gain.
DISCUSSION:
CMV colitis in immunocompromised patients typically presents with diarrhea associated with abdominal pain, fever, leukopenia and frank hematochezia. This case represents an unusual disease manifestation with an atypical timeline of disease duration, lack of aforementioned symptoms and non-characteristic endoscopic findings, making the diagnosis challenging. Furthermore, delayed CMV infection in organ transplant patients is quite unusual, as most typically, CMV infection presents shortly after initiation of immunosuppressive therapy.