Hagen Rachael, Da Cunha Teresa, Potashinsky Alexander
Internal Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, USA.
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Connecticut, Hartford, USA.
Cureus. 2025 Jun 15;17(6):e86042. doi: 10.7759/cureus.86042. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is an opportunistic virus typically diagnosed in immunocompromised patients. CMV proctitis is rarely reported in immunocompetent hosts. We describe a 71-year-old immunocompetent male who presented with persistent diarrhea and was CMV-negative on initial histopathology staining but was found to have severe CMV proctitis with rectal involvement diagnosed following repeat flexible sigmoidoscopy. CMV proctitis is likely an underrecognized cause of bloody diarrhea in the elderly. Early consideration of CMV proctitis in immunocompetent elderly patients with refractory colitis may prevent prolonged morbidity and unnecessary immunosuppressive therapy.
巨细胞病毒（CMV）结肠炎是一种机会性病毒感染，通常在免疫功能低下的患者中被诊断出来。CMV直肠炎在免疫功能正常的宿主中很少有报道。我们描述了一名71岁免疫功能正常的男性，他出现持续性腹泻，初始组织病理学染色CMV呈阴性，但在重复乙状结肠镜检查后被诊断为患有严重的CMV直肠炎且累及直肠。CMV直肠炎可能是老年患者血性腹泻的一个未被充分认识的病因。对于患有难治性结肠炎的免疫功能正常的老年患者，早期考虑CMV直肠炎可能会预防长期发病和不必要的免疫抑制治疗。
