Cytomegalovirus gastrointestinal disease in patients with AIDS: A case series

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important opportunistic infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), usually in those with low CD4 cell counts. CMV colitis is the most common CMV end-organ diseases after CMV retinitis, though cytomegalovirus the gastrointestinal disease (CMV-GID) can occur at any region of gastrointestinal tract. Its clinical manifestations depend on the region of gastrointestinal tract involved. However, due to indistinguishable clinical features from other diseases, further investigations, preferably endoscopy and histopathological testing, are necessary for diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are vital to decrease mortality and reduce morbidity in an otherwise fatal disease. Our case series consist of 3 cases, each with different clinical spectra. All but one patient were antiretroviral (ARV)-naïve. Ganciclovir was administered to all patients, with clinical improvement.