Prevalence and Diagnostic Challenges of Cytomegalovirus Colitis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Retrospective Study From a Romanian Tertiary Care Center
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is a clinically significant complication in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly in those with severe or steroid-refractory disease, where it may contribute to adverse outcomes. This study aimed to determine the frequency of acute CMV infection and tissue-confirmed CMV colitis among hospitalized IBD patients who underwent CMV evaluation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including adult patients with IBD hospitalized between April 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, at the Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Târgu Mureș, Romania. CMV serology (immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM)), colonoscopy with biopsy, and immunohistochemistry were performed when clinically indicated. Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, treatment regimens, laboratory parameters, and histopathologic findings were analyzed for all included patients. RESULTS: 54 IBD patients were evaluated. The mean age was 41 years, and most were male. Crohn's disease was diagnosed in 24 patients (44.44%) and ulcerative colitis in 30 patients (55.56%). Three patients (5.55%) showed evidence of acute CMV infection based on serology. Only one patient (1.85%) was diagnosed with CMV colitis by immunohistochemistry. All patients with evidence of CMV infection had received corticosteroid therapy, although the small number of cases limits interpretation. CONCLUSIONS: CMV colitis was uncommon in this cohort of evaluated patients. Diagnosis primarily relied on histopathologic confirmation, with serology serving only as a limited adjunct. CMV infection should be considered in patients with active or steroid-refractory disease. Observations regarding corticosteroid exposure should be interpreted cautiously and considered hypothesis-generating.
Source: Cureus
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7127049164