Cytomegalovirus disease in inflammatory bowel disease: epidemiology and disease characteristics in a large single-centre experience

Cytomegalovirus Infection: An Underrated Target in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment

CMV infection is still a matter of concern in IBD patients, especially regarding the disease's relapse management. Why IBD patients, particularly those affected by ulcerative colitis, are more susceptible to CMV reactivation is not totally explained, although a weakened immune system could be the reason. Various techniques, ranging from serology to histology, can be employed to detect intestinal CMV infection; however, there is currently disagreement in the literature regarding the most effective diagnostic test. Furthermore, CMV involvement in steroid resistance has been broadly discussed, but whether CMV infection is a cause or consequence of the disease severity and, consequently, steroid refractoriness is still debated. Its potential contribution to the lack of response to advanced therapy and small molecules must be more valued and wholly explored. In this review, we look at the actual literature on CMV in IBD patients, and we suggest a pragmatic algorithm for clinical practice management of CMV infection.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cytomegalovirus Colitis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Tertiary Center Experience

Background

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a higher risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis because of their immunocompromised status. There are no studies from Saudi Arabia regarding the prevalence of CMV colitis in patients with IBD.

Objective

To determine the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of CMV colitis in patients with IBD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study included patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IBD (aged 14-75 years) who were followed up at King Fahad Medical City, a referral care center in Riyadh, between January 2016 and December 2021; patients with indeterminate colitis or incomplete medical records were excluded.

Results

A total of 341 patients with IBD were included, of which 236 (72.2%) had Crohn's disease (CD) and 105 (27.8%) had ulcerative colitis (UC). Qualitative CMV PCR was done for 192 patients (60 UC and 132 CD patients), of which 14 patients were positive for CMV colitis (7.3%), and all positive CMV colitis cases were among UC patients (23.3%). However, the hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stain and immunohistochemistry were negative for all patients. Most patients with CMV colitis were on steroids (71.4%), had at least one flare-up (64.3%), and were on biologic treatment (71.4%). Significant predictors of CMV colitis were hemoglobin (OR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.51-0.96), albumin (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.78-0.98), and C-reactive protein (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06) levels.

Conclusion

This study found that the prevalence of CMV colitis was 7.3% among patients with IBD, and no case was diagnosed in patients with CD. In addition, as all cases diagnosed using qualitative CMV PCR were negative on H and E stain and immunohistochemistry, there is need for large-scale studies to improve the diagnosis of CMV colitis.

Environmental Interaction of Resolved Human Cytomegalovirus Infection With Crohn's Disease Location

Active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection complicates management of inflammatory bowel disease, but the relationship of resolved CMV infection to Crohn’s disease (CD) behavior or localization is unknown. This article reports a striking risk (9-fold) of Crohn’s disease localization to the colon with prior CMV infection. It also reports imputed mucosal cellular composition, HLA class 1, and KIR gene variants that delimit prior observations regarding HLA and KIR associations with Crohn’s disease risk and behavior.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation as New Therapeutic Avenue for Human Diseases

The human body is home to a variety of micro-organisms. Most of these microbial communities reside in the gut and are referred to as gut microbiota. Over the last decades, compelling evidence showed that a number of human pathologies are associated with microbiota dysbiosis, thereby suggesting that the reinstatement of physiological microflora balance and composition might ameliorate the clinical symptoms. Among possible microbiota-targeted interventions, pre/pro-biotics supplementations were shown to provide effective results, but the main limitation remains in the limited microbial species available as probiotics. Differently, fecal microbiota transplantation involves the transplantation of a solution of fecal matter from a donor into the intestinal tract of a recipient in order to directly change the recipient's gut microbial composition aiming to confer a health benefit. Firstly used in the 4th century in traditional Chinese medicine, nowadays, it has been exploited so far to treat recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections, but accumulating data coming from a number of clinical trials clearly indicate that fecal microbiota transplantation may also carry the therapeutic potential for a number of other conditions ranging from gastrointestinal to liver diseases, from cancer to inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune diseases and brain disorders, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. In this review, we will summarize the commonly used preparation and delivery methods, comprehensively review the evidence obtained in clinical trials in different human conditions and discuss the variability in the results and the pivotal importance of donor selection. The final aim is to stimulate discussion and open new therapeutic perspectives among experts in the use of fecal microbiota transplantation not only in Clostridioides difficile infection but as one of the first strategies to be used to ameliorate a number of human conditions.

Cytomegalovirus in ulcerative colitis: an evidence-based approach to diagnosis and treatment

INTRODUCTION

The detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease often creates confusion whether CMV is a 'bystander' or 'disease.'

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the clinical conundrum of CMV in ulcerative colitis, approach to discriminate infection from disease, and therapeutic considerations (immunosuppressive and anti-CMV treatment). CMV disease should be considered in corticosteroid refractory- dependent and thiopurine refractory disease. Endoscopy may reveal deep punched out ulcers, irregular ulcers, or cobble-stoning. The diagnosis rests on the presence and abundance of viral inclusion bodies on hematoxylin and eosin stain, positive immunohistochemistry, and/or positive tissue polymerase chain reaction. CMV disease is associated with worse outcomes including increased colectomy rates.

EXPERT OPINION

The timing and duration of antiviral drugs in CMV disease is debatable but depends on the load of CMV in tissue. In high-grade infection, CMV needs to be treated while increasing immunosuppression may work in the setting of low-grade infection. Ganciclovir is the drug of choice for treatment of CMV disease. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors may be useful for treating underlying disease activity in the setting of CMV. Other emerging therapies include fecal microbiota transplantation. Randomized studies are necessary to define the best timing and duration of anti-CMV therapy.

Cytomegalovirus in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients with acute severe colitis

BACKGROUND

The prevalence and significance of cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis in pediatric acute severe colitis is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CMV in colonic mucosa of children with acute severe refractory colitis and compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of CMV positive and negative patients.

METHODS

In a case-control study, colonic biopsy specimens from children with severe refractory colitis were tested for CMV, and matched with non-refractory IBD controls. We characterized CMV positive patients by assessing laboratory values, concurrent medications, and need for surgery as compared with CMV negative refractory colitis patients.

RESULTS

Colonic biopsies from 96 patients were evaluated for CMV; 48 with severe refractory colitis, and 48 non-refractory controls. There was an increased prevalence of CMV in severe refractory colitis [7/48 (14.6%), P < 0.0001]; all were previously CMV negative. Viral DNA burden on immunohistochemistry was not predictive of response to antiviral therapy or need for surgery at 12 months. Lymphopenia was seen in all CMV positive patients, but this did not demonstrate statistical significance (P = 0.09). We did not see an association between azathioprine or infliximab use and the need for surgery at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an increased prevalence of CMV in colonic biopsies of pediatric patients with severe refractory colitis. Viral burden does not predict clinical outcomes or subsequent need for colectomy.

The Trends of Immunohistochemistry for Tissue-Invasive Cytomegalovirus in Gastrointestinal Mucosal Biopsies: A Large Single Academic Center Study

CONTEXT.—

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the most widely used method to diagnose CMV infection/reactivation in tissues in a pathology laboratory.

OBJECTIVE.—

To improve the efficiency of CMV IHC testing by evaluating immunopositive staining trends of tissue-invasive CMV in the gastrointestinal system.

DESIGN.—

A total of 1479 individual orders for CMV IHC on gastrointestinal biopsy specimens from 2016 to 2018 were included. The analysis was performed to identify the significant factors contributory to CMV-positive test results.

RESULTS.—

The overall positivity rate of CMV IHC in our institution is 4.73% (70 of 1479). The positivity rate from physician-requested and pathologist-initiated tests was significantly different (7.54% versus 3.83%, P = .004). Cases with severe inflammation showed a higher positive CMV rate than those with mild inflammation (5.37% versus 2.60%, P = .04). Cytomegalovirus positivity in biopsies from posttransplant patients, inflammatory bowel disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), cancer, and others was 19.69%, 3.84%, 23.33%, 9.00%, and 2.84%, respectively. The positivity rate among posttransplant, HIV/CVID, or cancer patients was significantly higher than in other populations. Cases tested with multiple tissue blocks generated a higher positivity rate than those with a single block (7.77% versus 3.23%, P < .001). Testing 3 to 4 blocks per case almost tripled the positive CMV detection rate (9.04%). Interestingly, using 5 or more blocks did not further ameliorate the positive CMV detection rate.

CONCLUSIONS.—

The data revealed that physician request, immunosuppression, multiple blocks, and severe inflammation were strongly related to positive CMV IHC detection rate. These findings might provide value in helping pathologists manage CMV IHC testing more efficiently.

Diagnosis and Management of CMV Colitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is a relatively common end-organ infectious complication in immunocompromised hosts which negatively affects clinical outcomes. This paper presents the contemporary approaches to the diagnosis and management of CMV colitis and discusses some of the controversies of this condition, focusing on methods of diagnosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

While certain risk factors for CMV colitis are well recognized, the clinical as well as endoscopic features of this condition are nonspecific. Rapid diagnosis and management are usually needed, especially in critically ill patients, which necessitate invasive diagnostic procedures. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of colonic mucosal tissue may show the typical viral inclusions associated with CMV colitis that are highly specific for this condition. However, the staining has low sensitivity compared to immunohistochemistry, which is considered the gold standard for diagnosis of CMV colitis. Tissue polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is highly sensitive for diagnosis, but is controversial for many reasons, detailed in this paper. A high index of suspicion is needed, and once diagnosis is made, treatment should be highly considered to improve the outcome of these severely ill patients. Noninvasive diagnostic tests will be available in the future and will hopefully improve the diagnosis and care of patients with CMV colitis.

Protracted severe systemic cytomegalovirus disease in an immunosuppressed patient with ulcerative colitis

A 33-year-old man with ulcerative colitis presented with 5-day history of fever, night sweats, abdominal pain and increased stool frequency. He was on mesalazine M/R 1 g once daily, 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) 75 mg once daily and prednisolone 40 mg once daily. Examination revealed fever and tachycardia. Blood examinations identified a persistent leucopenia, C reactive protein of 23 mg/L and an initial alanine transaminase of 855 IU/L. Flexible sigmoidoscopy revealed well-demarcated, punched-out ulcers in the proximal rectum and distal sigmoid, with histology pathognomonic of cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV DNA PCR was 51 140 copies/mL. Despite prompt withdrawal of 6-MP, steroids and initiation of intravenous ganciclovir on day 2 of admission, his systemic illness, diarrhoea and fever persisted until day 19 of antiviral therapy. Other copathogens and lymphoma were ruled out on serology and CT scan, respectively. After an unusually prolonged course of antiviral therapy, the patient made a full clinical recovery, bloods normalised and there were two consecutive undetectable CMV DNA PCRs.

CMV Infection in Pediatric IBD

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are predisposed to infections. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis in adult IBD patients, particularly ulcerative colitis (UC), is related to severe or steroid-refractory disease. The aim of this review is to summarize the data on the prevalence and role of CMV colitis in children with IBD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Data on CMV colitis in children continue to be very limited due to its rarity. As in adults, children with coexisting UC and CMV tend to have more severe colitis, are resistant to corticosteroids, and are at high risk for colectomies on short- and long-term follow-up. In children, as in adults, the significance of CMV colitis, in terms of whether CMV is a pathogen that aggravates acute severe colitis or simply reflects disease severity, is still unknown.

Colonic cytomegalovirus detection by mucosal PCR and antiviral therapy in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to identify the risk factors associated with colonic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in ulcerative colitis (UC) and to compare the clinical course between antiviral therapy-treated and -untreated groups in mucosal CMV-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) -positive cases.

METHODS

We retrospectively selected 46 UC patients (>15 years old) in active phase who underwent colonoscopy with biopsy and were analyzed for CMV infection by mucosal PCR between October 2011 and December 2015 at our institution. Colonic CMV in inflamed mucosa was detected using quantitative real-time PCR. The clinical course was evaluated, including need for drug therapy/surgery or drug therapy intensification. In addition, we evaluated the clinical course between CMV-DNA- cases and CMV-DNA+ cases with low viral load.

RESULTS

At baseline, CMV-DNA+ patients were significantly older, had higher endoscopic scores, and required higher corticosteroid doses during the past 4 weeks than CMV-DNA- patients (p< 0.05). No significant differences were observed in disease duration, disease distribution, laboratory data, or use of other medication between CMV-DNA+ and CMV-DNA- patients. In the anti-CMV-treated group with a median (range) DNA load of 16,000 (9,000-36,400), 3patients achieved remission without additional UC therapy, 2 required additional UC therapy, and 1 required colectomy despite azathioprine and infliximab therapy. In the CMV-untreated group with a median (range) DNA load of 919 (157-5,480), all patients achieved remission with UC therapy alone. No significant difference was observed in the clinical course between CMV-DNA- cases and CMV-DNA+ cases with low viral loads.

CONCLUSIONS

Aging, endoscopic UC activity, and corticosteroid dose predispose to colonic CMV infection, as determined by mucosal PCR, in UC. UC treatment without anti-CMV therapy may be warranted, particularly in patients with low-load CMV-DNA. Anti-CMV therapy alone does not always achieve clinical response in UC even in cases with high-load PCR.

Cytomegalovirus colitis in hospitalized inflammatory bowel disease patients in Taiwan: a referral center study

BACKGROUND

Colitis is exacerbated in patients with concurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We assessed the prevalence and clinical features of CMV colitis in hospitalized IBD patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study reviewed the data from January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2013 compiled at the National Taiwan University Hospital. The CMV colitis patients' demographic data, clinical information, treatment regimens, pathologic findings, and outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 673 IBD patients were hospitalized during the study period. There were 312 patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) and 361 with ulcerative colitis (UC). CMV colitis was diagnosed as having positive inclusion bodies in colonic tissue. Six of the 312 CD patients (1.9%) and five of the 361 UC patients (1.4%) were diagnosed with CMV colitis. Compared to CD patients without CMV colitis, patients with CMV colitis were more often older (p < 0.005). Higher steroid usage was noted in the CMV positive group compared to age and gender matched CMV negative IBD patients (81.8% vs. 51.5%). Eight patients received ganciclovir treatment. Three patients who did not receive antiviral treatment had colitis flare-ups after the index admission.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of CMV colitis in hospitalized IBD inpatients was 1.6% in Taiwan. Two associated factors for CMV colitis in hospitalized IBD patients were that they were elderly in CD and were on higher doses of steroids. Routine histopathology studies and/or PCR for refractory colitis patients are suggested to diagnose CMV colitis. Once the diagnosis is made, antiviral treatment is recommended to decrease the colitis relapse rate.