Nancy Mayer, Vijay Kata, Dhaval Patel, Daniel Errampalli, Thomas O'Connor, Matthew Kaplan, Thomas Betlej, Nikhil Bhargava
{"title":"Cytomegalovirus Enteritis: A Rare Culprit of Protein Losing Enteropathy in an Immunocompetent Adult.","authors":"Nancy Mayer, Vijay Kata, Dhaval Patel, Daniel Errampalli, Thomas O'Connor, Matthew Kaplan, Thomas Betlej, Nikhil Bhargava","doi":"10.14309/crj.0000000000001768","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a rare complication of cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis in immunocompetent individuals. We present a case of a previously healthy 60-year-old woman with an acute CMV infection, manifesting as intractable vomiting and diarrhea, refractory electrolyte disturbances, and anasarca. The diagnostic evaluation showed low serum protein levels and an increased fecal alpha-1 antitrypsin clearance, confirming PLE. CMV-specific immunohistochemistry on duodenal samples subsequently confirmed that the PLE was caused by CMV enteritis. She completed treatment with valganciclovir for 3 weeks, resulting in symptom resolution and normalization of endoscopic findings. This case highlights the importance of recognizing CMV-associated PLE, particularly in immunocompetent individuals, for timely diagnosis and treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":7394,"journal":{"name":"ACG Case Reports Journal","volume":"12 7","pages":"e01768"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12278898/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"ACG Case Reports Journal","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.14309/crj.0000000000001768","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/7/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a rare complication of cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis in immunocompetent individuals. We present a case of a previously healthy 60-year-old woman with an acute CMV infection, manifesting as intractable vomiting and diarrhea, refractory electrolyte disturbances, and anasarca. The diagnostic evaluation showed low serum protein levels and an increased fecal alpha-1 antitrypsin clearance, confirming PLE. CMV-specific immunohistochemistry on duodenal samples subsequently confirmed that the PLE was caused by CMV enteritis. She completed treatment with valganciclovir for 3 weeks, resulting in symptom resolution and normalization of endoscopic findings. This case highlights the importance of recognizing CMV-associated PLE, particularly in immunocompetent individuals, for timely diagnosis and treatment.
期刊介绍:
ACG Case Reports Journal is a peer-reviewed, open-access publication that provides GI and hepatology fellows, private practice clinicians, and other healthcare providers an opportunity to share interesting case reports with their peers and with leaders in the field. ACG Case Reports Journal publishes case reports, images, videos and letters to the editor in all topics of gastroenterology and hepatology, including: Biliary Colon Endoscopy Esophagus Functional Bowel Disorders Inflammatory Bowel Disease Liver Nutrition and Obesity Pancreas Pathology Pediatric Small Bowel Stomach.