Cytomegalovirus infection of the colon associated with ulcerative colitis.

We report a 12th case in which infection of the colon with cytomegalovirus was demonstrated in association with ulcerative collitis. Rectal biopsy has proven to be reliable in identifying cells with cytomegaloviral inclusion bodies if careful histologic evaluation is performed. Thus far, prognosis has been serious when cytomegalovirus of the colon has been documented in ulcerative colitis. Nine of 12 patients have required a colectomy, and only seven of 12 have survived.