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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 14, 2006; 12(30): 4813-4818
Published online Aug 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i30.4813
Cytomegalovirus and inflammatory bowel disease: Is there a link?
Valeria Criscuoli, Maria Rosa Rizzuto, Mario Cottone
Valeria Criscuoli, Mario Cottone, Division of Internal Medicine, Department of General Medicine and Pneumology, University of Palermo. “ V. Cervello Hospital” Via Trabucco 180, Palermo 90100, Italy
Maria Rosa Rizzuto, Institute of Pathology. “ V. Cervello Hospital” Via Trabucco 180, Palermo 90100, Italy
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Mario Cottone, Division of Internal Medicine, “V. Cervello Hospital” Via Trabucco 180, Palermo 90100, Italy. dickens@tin.it
Fax: +39-9-16885111
Received: February 17, 2006
Revised: March 1, 2006
Accepted: March 10, 2006
Published online: August 14, 2006
Abstract

The objective of this report is to give an overall view of the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A review of published reports on this topic was carried out, with particular attention paid to the selection of patients included in studies and the diagnostic methods employed. CMV is frequently associated with IBD. In some cases, CMV infection is associated with a poor outcome but it is not clear which patients are more likely to be affected and in which stage of the disease. The use of anti-viral therapy in IBD is controversial and an empirical study with controls is needed. The natural history of CMV infection related to the development and treatment of IBD has not been clarified but it is important to take it in consideration because of the possibility of viral persistence in the immunocompromised host and viral interaction with the immune system.

Keywords: Cytomegalovirus; Inflammatory bowel disease; Outcome