Abstract | OBJECTIVES: METHODS: Among 62 patients with severe colitis, 55 with ulcerative colitis and seven with Crohn's disease, 19 (30%) were resistant to intravenous steroids and bowel rest. In all of them, rectal biopsies were examined for cytomegalovirus (the flexible proctoscopy being performed without air insufflation and limited to the first 10 cm). Buffy coat preparation on leukocytes was also performed to detect systemic infection. If cytomegalovirus was not detected, cyclosporine was started. RESULTS: In seven (five with ulcerative colitis and two with Crohn's disease) out of 19 (36%) patients with refractory disease, cytomegalovirus was diagnosed in the rectal specimens as well as by buffy coat preparation. Five patients went into remission after antiviral treatment (three with ganciclovir and two with foscarnet). One patient did not respond and was operated on. In one patient, cytomegalovirus was found in the surgical specimen. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | M Cottone, G Pietrosi, G Martorana, A Casà, G Pecoraro, L Oliva, A Orlando, M Rosselli, A Rizzo, L Pagliaro |
Journal | The American journal of gastroenterology
(Am J Gastroenterol)
Vol. 96
Issue 3
Pg. 773-5
(Mar 2001)
ISSN: 0002-9270 [Print] United States |
PMID | 11280549
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antigens, Viral
- Antiviral Agents
- Steroids
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antigens, Viral
(analysis)
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Biopsy
- Colitis, Ulcerative
(drug therapy, virology)
- Crohn Disease
(drug therapy, virology)
- Cytomegalovirus
(immunology, isolation & purification)
- Cytomegalovirus Infections
(diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology)
- Drug Resistance
- Humans
- Italy
- Leukocytes
(virology)
- Middle Aged
- Prevalence
- Prospective Studies
- Rectum
(pathology, virology)
- Severity of Illness Index
- Steroids
(therapeutic use)
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