CMV - gastroenteritis/colitis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Gastrointestinal anatomy

Stomach and stomach lining

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

CMV - gastroenteritis/colitis

Alternative Names:

Colitis - cytomegalovirus; Gastroenteritis - cytomegalovirus; Esophagitis - cytomegalovirus; Gastrointestinal CMV disease

Treatment:

The goals of therapy are to control the infection and relieve symptoms. Antiviral medications that may be used include ganciclovir (Cytovene) and foscarnet (Foscavir). Treatment is given intravenously (into a vein) and sometimes orally for several weeks.

In some cases, therapy may be prolonged. CMV hyperimmune globulin may be used in cases of severe refractory infection (when other drugs don't work). Antidiarrheal medications and analgesics (pain killers) are used for the relief of symptoms.

Nutritional supplements or intravenous nutrition (putting nutrients directly into the blood stream) may be used to combat wasting.

Expectations (prognosis):

In people with normal immune systems, symptoms usually go away without treatment. In those with suppressed immune systems, symptoms are more severe. The outcome depends upon the severity of the immunodeficiency and the severity of the infection.

People with AIDS may have a worse outcome than those with a different type of immunodeficiency. CMV infection typically affects the entire body, even if patients only have GI symptoms. Therefore, overall outcome depends on the response to therapy with antiviral drugs.

Complications:

Low white blood cell count may occur with use of ganciclovir. Kidney problems may occur with the use of foscarnet.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms develop that are suggestive of CMV gastroenteritis.

Review Date: 1/23/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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