%0 Journal Article
%T Refractory ulcerative colitis complicated by cytomegalovirus infection successfully treated with valganciclovir
%A Tiziana Larussa
%A Evelina Suraci
%A Immacolata Nazionale
%A Francesco Conforti
%J Gastroenterology Insights
%D 2012
%I 
%R 10.4081/gi.2012.e19
%X Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is widespread in the general population. In patients with severe and/or steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis (UC), local reactivation of CMV can be detected in actively inflamed colonic tissue in approximately 30% of cases. However, the role of CMV in patients with UC is not clearly understood. There is evidence to show a possible role in exacerbating a colitis flare, whereas other studies describe CMV as an innocent bystander. We report the case of a patient with severe UC complicated by CMV infection who did not respond to conventional therapy. A complete diagnostic panel for CMV diagnosis, including tissue polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, was carried out. Three-week therapy with oral valganciclovir resulted in dramatic clinical and endoscopic improvement. Timing of diagnosis and treatment of CMV infection complicating UC is crucial in order to recognize the organ-disease and plan appropriate treatment.
%K ulcerative colitis
%K cytomegalovirus
%K valganciclovir
%K ganciclovir
%U http://www.pagepress.org/journals/index.php/gi/article/view/3162