Colitis due to Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Type 2 as a Complication of a First Presentation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Introduction: The first presentation of ulcerative colitis may be an acute flare in about 15% of patients, requiring hospital admission. In acute severe steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) should be sought because it is a frequent cause of refractory disease. Herpes simplex colitis constitutes a rarer event in ulcerative colitis patients and it is usually associated with immunosuppression. Case Presentation: We report a case of a first presentation of ulcerative colitis complicated by CMV and herpes simplex type 2 coinfection. After a long period of systemic corticosteroids, the diagnosis of both CMV and herpes colitis was made. Despite antiviral treatment, colectomy was required due to a contained perforation. Discussion/Conclusion: This report highlights the importance of a high degree of suspicion for opportunistic infections in steroid/immunomodulator refractory ulcerative colitis, even in the first flare.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Colitis due to Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Type 2 as a Complication of a First Presentation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease ; volume:29 ; number:1 ; year:2021 ; pages:56-60 ; extent:5 ; Portuguese journal of gastroenterology ; 29, Heft 1 (2021), 56-60 (gesamt 5)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Leal, Tiago ; Arroja, Bruno ; Costa, Dalila ; Ferreira, Carla ; Soares, João Bruno ; Gonçalves, Raquel

Further information

• DOI: 10.1159/000514715
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022011223185398047161
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:27 AM CEST