Cytomegalovirus infection of the human gastrointestinal tract

Background: Current interest in cytomegalovirus (CMV) is largely due to an increase in the number of cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and o rgan transplantation in recent years. The proper recognition of CMV-infecte d cells in gastrointestinal mucosal biopsies is critical for effective trea tment of this condition. Methods: A total of 6580 endoscopic mucosal biopsies from 6323 patients in the 8-year period (1989-1996) were examined for CMV inclusion bodies. The e ndoscopic appearance and particularly the presence of ulcers were also anal ysed. Results and Conclusions: The prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) inclusions was 9 per thousand in the gastrointestinal mucosal biopsies from an unsele cted group of patients. Of the 54 patients with CMV infection, 37 were immu nocompromised and 17 apparently immunocompetent. Typical Cowdry inclusions and atypical inclusions were present, the latter more frequently in immunoc ompromised patients. The maximum prevalence of inclusions was in the oesoph ageal mucosa in immunocompromised individuals. (C) 1999 Blackwell Science A sia Pry Ltd.