Health Encyclopedia

Search the Health Encyclopedia

CMV - gastroenteritis/colitis

Definition

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

This same virus can also cause:

Alternative Names

Colitis - cytomegalovirus; Gastroenteritis - cytomegalovirus; Gastrointestinal CMV disease

Causes

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes-type virus. It is related to the virus that causes chickenpox.

Infection with CMV is very common. It is spread by saliva, urine, respiratory droplets, sexual contact, and blood transfusions. Most people are exposed at some point, but most of the time, the virus produces mild or no symptoms in healthy people.

Serious CMV infections can occur in people with weakened immune systems due to:

Rarely, serious CMV infection involving the GI tract has occurred in people with a healthy immune system.

Symptoms

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

When the intestines are involved, the ulcers may cause:

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

Exams and Tests

Tests that may be done include:

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 antibodies to the CMV virus in your blood.

Another blood test that looks for the presence and number of virus particles in the blood can also be done.

Treatment

Treatment is meant to control the infection and relieve symptoms.

Medicines to fight the virus (antiviral medicines) are prescribed. The medicines may be given through a vein (IV), and sometimes by mouth, for several weeks. The most commonly used medicines are ganciclovir, valganciclovir, and foscarnet.

In some cases, long-term therapy may be needed. A medicine called CMV hyperimmune globulin may be used when other drugs don't work.

Other medicines may include:

  • Drugs to prevent or reduce diarrhea
  • Painkillers (analgesics)

Nutritional supplements or nutrition given through a vein (IV) may be used to treat muscle loss due to the disease.

Outlook (Prognosis)

In people with a healthy immune system, symptoms go away without treatment in most cases.

Symptoms are more severe in those with a weakened immune system. The outcome depends on how severe the immune system deficiency and the CMV infection are.

People with AIDS may have a worse outcome than those with a weakened immune system due to another reason.

CMV infection typically affects the entire body, even if only (GI) symptoms are present. How well a person does depends on how well the antiviral drugs work.

Possible Complications

The drugs used to fight the virus may cause side effects. The type of side effect depends on the specific drug used. For example, the drug ganciclovir may lower your white blood cell count. Another drug, foscarnet, may lead to kidney problems.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of CMV gastroenteritis/colitis.

Prevention

There is a high risk of CMV infection in people who receive an organ transplant from a CMV-positive donor. Taking the antiviral drugs ganciclovir (Cytovene) and valganciclovir (Valcyte) by mouth before the transplant can lower your chance of getting a new infection or reactivating an old infection.

People with AIDS who are effectively treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy are much less likely to get a CMV infection.

References

Britt WJ. Cytomegalovirus. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 137.

DuPont HL, Okhuysen PC. Approach to the patient with suspected enteric infection. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 267.

Larson AM, Issaka RB, Hockenbery DM. Gastrointestinal and hepatic complications of solid organ and hematopoietic cell transplantation. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 36.

Wilcox CM. Gastrointestinal consequences of infection with human immunodeficiency virus. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 35.

Review Date:5/4/2022
Reviewed By:Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.

Health Outcome Data

Hospitalizations, length of stay, and charges for Gastroenteritis - Ages 3 months - 4 years


Hospitalizations, length of stay, and charges for Gastroenteritis - Ages 5-17 years


Health Encyclopedia

More Features