CMV - gastroenteritis/colitis Health Article

Definition

CMV gastroenteritis/colitis is inflammation of the stomach or intestine due to infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV).

See also:

• CMV esophagitis
• CMV immunocompromised host
• CMV pneumonia
• CMV retinitis
• Congenital CMV

Alternative Names

Colitis - cytomegalovirus; Gastroenteritis - cytomegalovirus; Gastrointestinal CMV disease

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes-type virus related to the virus that causes chickenpox. Infection with CMV is very common.

The infection is spread by saliva, urine, respiratory droplets, sexual contact, and blood transfusions. Most people are exposed to the virus in their lifetime, but it usually produces mild or no symptoms in healthy people.

However, serious CMV infections can occur in people with weakened immune systems. This includes patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer and patients on immune-suppressing medicines following an organ transplant.

In rare instances, more severe CMV infection involving the GI tract has been reported in people with healthy immune systems. When CMV colitis occurs in someone with a normal immune system, the person typically has other serious medical conditions such as a severe injury, kidney failure, or infection.

The following increase your risk for CMV gastroenteritis/colitis:

• AIDS
• Bone marrow or organ transplant
• Chemotherapy
• Medications that suppress the immune system

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal CMV disease may affect one area or the entire body. Ulcers can occur in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon. Such ulcers are associated with symptoms such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing
• Nausea
• Vomiting

When the intestines are involved, the ulcers may cause:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloody stools
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Weight loss

More severe infections can result in gastrointestinal bleeding or a hole through the wall of the bowel.

Signs and tests

Tests that may be done include:

• Barium enema
• Colonoscopy
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
• Stool culture to rule out other causes of infection
• Upper GI and small bowel series

Laboratory tests will be done on a sample of tissue taken from your stomach or intestine. The tests, such as a gastric or intestinal tissue culture or biopsy, determine if the virus is in the tissue.

A CMV serology test is done to look for the virus in your blood.