Colitis due to Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Type 2 as a Complication of a First Presentation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Introduction: The first presentation of ulcerative colitis may be an acute flare in about 15% of patients, requiring hospital admission. In acute severe steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) should be sought because it is a frequent cause of refractory disease. Herpes simplex colitis constitutes a rarer event in ulcerative colitis patients and it is usually associated with immunosuppression.
Case Presentation: We report a case of a first presentation of ulcerative colitis complicated by CMV and herpes simplex type 2 coinfection. After a long period of systemic corticosteroids, the diagnosis of both CMV and herpes colitis was made. Despite antiviral treatment, colectomy was required due to a contained perforation.
Discussion/conclusion: This report highlights the importance of a high degree of suspicion for opportunistic infections in steroid/immunomodulator refractory ulcerative colitis, even in the first flare.
Competing Interests: The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.
(Copyright © 2021 by S. Karger AG, Basel.)