A case report of CMV lymphadenitis in an adult kidney transplant recipient

Intractable Pruritus as Initial Presentation of Cytomegalovirus -Tuberculosis Coinfections

Coinfection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis presenting with acquired perforating dermatosis is a rare occurrence and remains poorly described in the literature. A man in his 40s, a farmer and chronic smoker, who was partially treated for tuberculosis, presented with a history of fever, weight loss, cough, generalized lymphadenopathy, severe pruritus, and skin lesions. Imaging findings suggested tuberculosis, which was confirmed by sputum examination. Histopathological examinations confirmed CMV lymphadenitis associated with acquired perforating dermatosis. Treatment included antitubercular therapy and a multidrug regimen for severe pruritus, leading to symptomatic improvement. Despite initial progress, the patient was lost to follow-up and later succumbed at home, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention for coinfected tuberculosis and cytomegalovirus diseases. This case highlights the rarity of cytomegalovirus and tuberculosis coinfection, the diagnostic complexities, the challenges associated with the treatment of intractable pruritus, and the necessity of ensuring proper follow-up.

A Clinicopathological Study of Cytomegalovirus Lymphadenitis and Tonsillitis and Their Association with Epstein-Barr Virus

Introduction

Histopathological characteristics of cytomegalovirus (CMV) lymphadenitis have been well described. Rare studies have reported the immune status and clinical features. Clinically, experts believed that CMV lymphadenitis develops in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Infectious mononucleosis (IM)-like syndrome is the most well-known clinical presentation.

Methods

We reviewed archived CMV immunohistochemical stains on lymphoid tissues. The clinicopathological features of CMV-positive cases were studied.

Results

For lymph nodes, we detected CMV in 29% (5/17) allogeneic peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) recipients, 29% (4/14) post-autologous PBSCT patients, 13% (6/47) patients treated with intravenous chemotherapy, and 9% (9/96) immunocompetent patients. We detected CMV in 7% (2/24) of tonsils but not in the nasopharynx, tongue base, or spleen specimens. The patients with iatrogenic immunodeficiency ranged from 37 to 76 years old. CMV infections developed a few years after lymphoma treatment (median duration after allogeneic PBSCT, 932 days; after autologous PBSCT, 370 days; and after chemotherapy, 626 days). The most common clinical presentation was neck mass (13/25, 42%), followed by asymptomatic image finding (10/25, 40%). Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan showed increased uptake compared to the liver in all patients (11/11, 100%). Of 10 lymphoma patients, 8 (80%) had a Deauville score of 4–5; they accounted for 30% (8/27) of lymphoma patients with false-positive PET/CT scan results. All cases were self-limiting. 96% (23/25) cases had Epstein–Barr virus coinfection, and EBER-positive cells were predominantly in a few germinal centers.

Conclusions

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) lymphadenitis and tonsillitis were subclinical infections, not primary CMV infection with IM-like syndrome. The lymphadenopathy typically developed a few years after lymphoma treatments in the middle-aged and the elderly. The lesions mimicked lymphoma relapse in PET scans. Therefore, recognizing CMV infection in lymphoid tissues is of clinical importance.

Graphic abstract

Severe Complication of Thiopurine Treatment in a Young Woman with Crohn's Disease

Case description

A 28-year old woman receiving thiopurine treatment for Crohn's disease presented with a systemic primo cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection affecting the gut (colitis), liver (hepatitis), lungs (pneumonitis) and eyes (retinitis). Secondary to this systemic infection, she developed splenomegaly, pancytopenia and lymphadenopathy. Anti-viral treatment resulted in complete resolution of clinical, biochemical and radiological abnormalities within 6 weeks.

Conclusion

Early recognition is crucial since CMV infection in a patient receiving thiopurine treatment may result in serious complications.

LEARNING POINTS

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in patients receiving thiopurine treatment may result in serious complications.This case report describes extensive primo CMV infection causing colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis and retinitis in a patient receiving thiopurine treatment.Early recognition and treatment of the infection is crucial.