A case of cytomegalovirus colitis in a patient on hemodialysis therapy

Abstract

A 74-year-old Japanese female on hemodialysis therapy complained of right lower abdominal pain in January 2008, and was admitted to our hospital. On admission, we treated the patient under a provisional diagnosis of ischemic colitis, but symptoms did not respond. Pathological diagnosis of colon mucosal biopsy samples demonstrated cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The patient was then treated with gancyclovir and symptoms quickly improved. When a hemodialysis patient diagnosed with ischemic colitis does not respond as expected, to treatment, CMV colitis should be suspected.