CMV - gastroenteritis/colitis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes-type virus. It is related to the virus that causes chickenpox.

Infection with CMV is very common. It is spread by saliva, urine, respiratory droplets, sexual contact, and blood transfusions. Most people are exposed at some point, but most of the time, the virus produces mild or no symptoms in healthy people.

Serious CMV infections can occur in people with weakened immune systems due to:

• AIDS
• Chemotherapy treatment for cancer
• During or after bone marrow or organ transplant
• Ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease

Rarely, serious CMV infection involving the GI tract has occurred in people with a healthy immune system.

Gastrointestinal (GI) CMV disease may affect one area or the entire GI system. Ulcers due to CMV can occur in the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon. These ulcers are associated with symptoms such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing
• Mouth pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

When the intestines are involved, the ulcers may cause:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloody stools
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Weight loss

More severe infections can result in gastrointestinal bleeding or a hole through the wall of the bowel (perforation).

To confirm the diagnosis, a biopsy of the affected area is needed.

Other tests that may be done include:

• Barium enema
• Colonoscopy with biopsy
• Upper endoscopy (EGD) with biopsy
• Stool culture or similar stool tests to check for other causes of infection
• Upper GI and small bowel series

Laboratory tests will be done on a sample of tissue taken from your stomach or intestine. The tests, such as a gastric or intestinal tissue culture or biopsy, determine if the virus is in the tissue.

A CMV serology test may be done to look for antibodies to the CMV virus in your blood.

A blood test called a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test that looks for the presence and number of virus particles in the blood can also be done.

Treatment is meant to control the infection and relieve symptoms.

Medicines to fight the virus (antiviral medicines) are prescribed. The medicines may be given through a vein (IV) and sometimes by mouth for several weeks. The most commonly used medicines are IV ganciclovir (Cytovene), oral valganciclovir (Valcyte), and IV foscarnet. (Foscavir).

In some cases, long-term therapy may be needed. A medicine called CMV hyperimmune globulin may be used when other medicines don't work or when the disease is severe.

Other medicines may include:

• Medicines to prevent or reduce diarrhea
• Painkillers (analgesics)

Nutritional supplements or nutrition given through a vein (IV) may be used to treat muscle loss due to the disease.

In people with a healthy immune system, symptoms go away without treatment in most cases.

Symptoms are more severe in those with a weakened immune system. The outcome depends on how severe the immune system deficiency and the CMV infection are.

People with AIDS may have a worse outcome than those with a weakened immune system due to another reason.

CMV infection typically affects the entire body, even if only (GI) symptoms are present. How well a person does depends on how well the antiviral medicines work.

The medicines used to fight the virus may cause side effects. The type of side effect depends on the specific medicine used. For example, ganciclovir may lower your white blood cell count. Another medicine, foscarnet, may lead to kidney problems.

Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of CMV gastroenteritis/colitis.

There is a high risk of CMV infection in people who receive an organ transplant from a CMV-positive donor. Taking the antiviral medicines ganciclovir or valganciclovir before the transplant can lower your chance of getting a new infection or reactivating an old infection.

People with AIDS who are effectively treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy are much less likely to get a CMV infection.

Colitis - cytomegalovirus; Gastroenteritis - cytomegalovirus; Gastrointestinal CMV disease

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Fleckenstein JM. Approach to the patient with suspected enteric infection. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 262.

Hockenbery DM, Larson AM. Gastrointestinal and hepatic complications of solid organ and hematopoietic cell transplantation. In: Chung RT, Rubin DT, Wilcox CM, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 34.

Wilcox CM. Gastrointestinal consequences of infection with human immunodeficiency virus. In: Chung RT, Rubin DT, Wilcox CM, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 33.

Updated by: Todd Eisner, MD, Private practice specializing in Gastroenterology in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Florida at Gastroenterology Consultants of Boca Raton. Affiliate Assistant Professor, Florida Atlantic University School of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.