Gastric ulcer associated with cytomegalovirus in an immunocompetent patient: method for diagnosis

[Infectious Gastric Diseases Other than Helicobacter]

In addition to Helicobacter pylori, the acute bacterial causes of infectious gastritis, include phlegmonous gastritis, gastric tuberculosis, and gastric syphilis. Bacterial gastritis often improves with appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotics, emphasizing the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment based on the clinical and endoscopic findings. Among viral gastritis, cytomegalovirus gastritis, primarily occurring in immunocompromised patients, necessitates antiviral intervention, while immunocompetent individuals typically achieve amelioration by administering proton pump inhibitors. In contrast, most gastric infections caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are asymptomatic, but an EBV infection is a cause of stomach cancer. EBV-associated gastric cancer exhibits distinct clinical, pathological, genetic, and post-genetic mutation features, making it clinically significant. The colonization of Candida albicans in the stomach is uncommon, and typical antifungal treatment is unnecessary. Candida infections in gastric ulcers can be treated with anti-ulcer treatment alone. Lastly, anisakidosis in the stomach, which occurs when consuming raw seafood, can manifest in various clinical presentations and is typically treated through endoscopic removal of the nematode. This article aims to contribute to the rapid diagnosis and treatment of rare stomach infections beyond Helicobacter pylori in real clinical situations.

Cytomegalovirus-Related Gastritis in an Immunocompetent Host Presenting With Infectious Gastroparesis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is usually asymptomatic or causes a mild mononucleosis-like syndrome, whereas severe symptoms are rarely reported. We report a case of a 70-year-old woman who was admitted to our center because of severe clinical presentation with anorexia, epigastric pain, nausea, postprandial vomiting, and significant weight loss. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsies showed ulcerative chronic gastritis with scattered large cells with inclusion bodies. Immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction for CMV-DNA resulted positive. A gastric emptying of solid scintigraphy showed severe gastroparesis. The patient was discharged after 2 months of antiviral therapy completely asymptomatic. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of CMV-related gastroparesis in an immunocompetent patient, successfully treated with antiviral therapy.

The Unmasking of Cytomegalovirus as an Accomplice to Helicobacter pylori-Induced Severe Acute Gastroenteritis in a Healthy Host

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) belongs to the Herpesviridae family, and it is considered the largest virus to infect humans. Primary CMV infection frequently targets immunodeficient patients and is often symptomatic. However, it may remain latent or clinically unapparent for years in immunocompetent individuals. CMV infection rarely presents as an invasive disease in the latter group of individuals, in which case, the most common site of involvement in the gastrointestinal tract. When CMV affects the gastrointestinal tract, the colon and stomach are the 2 frequently involved sites. This case report describes a unique case of an immunocompetent patient who presented with acute excruciating periumbilical pain and was diagnosed with acute gastritis secondary to CMV infection and possible Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic active gastritis. Symptoms resolved entirely soon after treatment with antimicrobials that cover for both infections. The diagnosis was based on histopathologic findings from biopsies taken from the stomach during the endoscopic evaluation combined with positive CMV serology and positive CMV-deoxyribonucleic acid.

CMV-Related Gastric Ulcer and Gastroduodenitis in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)- related gastroduodenal infection is rare in immunocompetent hosts, and although it is considered a self-limiting condition in most cases, there is scarce literature to assert its management. Case Presentation. We report a case of a 66-year-old immunocompetent male patient diagnosed with a giant gastric ulcer caused by CMV infection. The ulcer manifested as refractory vomiting and melena. Rapid and full resolution was observed on proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) monotherapy.

Conclusion

Gastric CMV infection might mimic an advanced gastric tumor in individuals with an intact immune system. The condition is rare, and the diagnosis is challenging and oftentimes overlooked. However, a rapid resolution has been documented in all cases, even without antiviral therapy.

Cytomegalovirus gastritis: Clinicopathological profile

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) gastritis is occasionally reported in case reports and limited case series. Up to now, it is the largest and most comprehensive retrospective study of CMV gastritis.

METHODS

All patients who were histologically diagnosed with CMV gastritis at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between January 2000 and April 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to immunity. Between-group differences in characteristics, manifestations, endoscopic features, prognostic factors, and outcomes were analyzed. The main endpoint was 3-month mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 54 patients (34 immunocompromised, 20 immunocompetent) were enrolled. Common presentations included gastrointestinal bleeding (35.2%), abdominal pain (33.3%) and fever (31.5%). The endoscopic features included ulcer (88.9%) and inflammation (11.1%). The 3-month mortality rate was 20.4% and overall mortality rate was 40.7%. Acute kidney injury was the only independent risk factor for 3-month mortality (OR 53.89, 95%CI 1.56-1861.73, p = 0.027). Anti-viral therapy and host immune status did not affect 3-month mortality.

CONCLUSION

Both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with CMV gastritis have high mortality rates, without significant between-group differences. Acute kidney injury is the only independent predictive factor for 3-month mortality. Prevention of acute kidney injury may possibly improve the 3-month mortality rate.

Cytomegalovirus pancreatitis in an immunocompetent patient

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a double-stranded DNA virus, which infects a large portion of the adult population. In immunocompetent patients, it typically is asymptomatic or manifests as mild and self-limiting flu-like illness symptoms, whereas in immunocompromised patients, CMV can cause significant disease. Herein we report an unusual case of CMV pancreatitis in an immunocompetent 75-year-old female. Patient developed severe significant pancreatic necrosis that failed non-operative management, and ultimately underwent pancreatic necrosectomy. Later on, she developed three spontaneous gastric perforations. The first two perforations were managed operatively, but after the third perforation family decided not to undergo another operation. The CMV pancreatitis diagnosis was based on pancreatic histopathology and confirms by a prompt response to ganciclovir. Patient was promptly started on intravenous (IV) ganciclovir which resulted in clinical recovery and she remained asymptomatic more than one-year post op. This is a rare case of CMV pancreatitis with gastric perforations in an immunocompetent patient. High degree of suspicion and appropriate treatment are important for such clinical scenarios.

Bilateral vocal cord immobility resulting from cytomegalovirus pharyngitis: A case report

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an infectious herpes virus present in approximately 50% of the world's population. Pharyngitis is an uncommon manifestation of CMV infection, and vocal cord immobility (VCI) following CMV pharyngitis is quite rare. An 83-year-old man with well-controlled diabetes mellitus and hypertension was admitted due to dyspnea, odynophagia, and dysphagia. Laryngeal fiberscopy revealed bilateral vocal cords almost fixed at the median position, with mucosal redness, swelling, and edema at the hypopharyngeal area. The airway was so narrowed that an emergency tracheostomy was performed to secure an airway. VCI resulting from a malignant tumor was suspected at first, but repeated pathological examinations revealed CMV infection in the pharyngeal mucosa. Despite intravenous ganciclovir treatment (5 mg/kg), the patient's bilateral VCI improved only slightly. Laryngeal electromyography was used to investigate the causes of VCI, and revealed vocal fold paralysis on the left side and cricoarytenoid joint fixation on the right side. This case highlights the importance of considering CMV infection in the differential diagnosis of patients with pharyngitis and VCI. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report describing the etiology of VCI following CMV pharyngitis using laryngeal electromyography.

Cytomegalovirus and the Seemingly Immunocompetent Host: A Case of a Perforating Gastric Ulcer

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the gastrointestinal tract has a variety of presentations. We present a case of gastric perforation, which is a relatively infrequent presentation of CMV infection. If the cause of gastric perforation is not readily apparent, testing for CMV should be considered. If CMV workup is positive, an evaluation for immunocompromise is prudent as CMV infections are more common in immunocompromised individuals.

[CMV-associated gastric ulcer in an immunocompetent male patient]

This article reports the case of a 45-year-old male immunocompetent patient who presented with acute epigastric pain and vomiting. Diagnostic tests confirmed a recent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection as a contributory cause of a florid gastric ulcer. Primary CMV infections affecting the upper gastrointestinal tract are rare in immunocompetent adults. In this case treatment with a proton pump inhibitor and eradication of concomitant Helicobacter pylori colonization led to a full recovery. Anti-CMV treatment was not necessary.

Gastritis as a manifestation of primary CMV infection in an immunocompetent host

The cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease spectrum is very wide, with symptomatic infections being rare in immunocompetent hosts. We present the case of a 31-year-old immunocompetent man diagnosed with CMV gastritis in the context of primary infection. The most important laboratory abnormalities leading to diagnosis were: elevation of liver enzymes (3-4× the upper limit of normal), thrombocytopenia (133 G/L), lymphocytosis (55%-4.2 G/L) with activated lymphocytes, CMV IgM positive (negative IgG), CMV viral load of 5700 copies/mL (real-time PCR); autoimmunity study showed antiparietal cell antibodies; abdominal ultrasonography detected homogenous splenomegaly (14.6×13.4 cm) and endoscopy unveiled superficial erosions of the gastric antrum that were biopsied. Anatomopathology and immunohistochemistry of the samples identified cytomegalic inclusions in endothelial cells. Cellular and humoral immunity deficits were excluded. As the patient developed severe asthaenia, adynamia and epigastric pain, he was administered gancyclovir 5 mg/kg intravenously twice daily for 7 days, with resolution of symptoms and gastric lesions confirmed by re-evaluation through endoscopy.