Shortness of breath in a patient with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Although immunosuppressive therapy is the mainstay of medical treatment for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, the importance of CMV as a cause of pneumonia in this group is less well recognised. This case report presents a case of shortness of breath, dyspnoea and fever in a 51-year-old man with Crohn's disease on azathioprine and highlights the importance of considering CMV as a cause of pneumonia in this group.

CMV pneumonitis in an immunosuppressed Crohn's disease patient

“…There have also been prior incidences of CMV pneumonitis in Crohn's disease patients while on azathioprine. 2 ECCO guidelines for systemic CMV infection in IBD patients advise 2-3 weeks of ganciclovir therapy and discontinuation of immunosuppressant agents. 3 Literature for CMV pneumonitis is limited and thus mortality and morbidity are difficult to surmise.…”