Cytomegalovirus colitis in chronic renal failure.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an ubiquitous agent and is recognized as a pathogen in all age groups. Although symptomatic infection by CMV (CMV disease) in normal adults is generally mild, the virus is known to produce severe symptoms, mostly in immunocompromised patients. In this group of patients, the primary involvement of the colon by CMV is reported to be rare. However, chronic renal failure patients are prone to CMV infection. Nevertheless, despite the high incidence of infection in these patients and the recognition of a defective immune response in some of them, clinical manifestations are an exception. Two chronic renal failure patients who developed acute colitis due to CMV infection are presented. Of interest are the rarity of the association, the favorable clinical course and the differential diagnosis with other gastrointestinal disorders which are more common in these patients.