CMV Esophagitis

CMV Esophagitis

Definition:

An infection of the esophagus caused by the cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

CMV esophagitis usually affects immunosuppressed or immunodeficient people. It causes esophageal swelling and painful swallowing. Oral lesions, often in the form of mouth ulcers, may also be present.

Symptoms:

low grade fever
difficult and painful swallowing
oral lesions (mouth sores)

Signs and tests:

EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) with a biopsy
culture of cells obtained from an esophageal brushing
esophagogastroduodenoscopy shows CMV by culture
blood and urine culture shows CMV
cold agglutinins may be drawn
CMV antigenemia in the blood may be positive

Treatment:

Most specialists suggest treatment with antiviral medications that are given through a vein (intravenous). Usually, ganciclovir or foscarnet are given.

Expectations (prognosis):

Esophagitis can usually be treated effectively. The outcome depends upon the underlying immunodeficiency that makes the person more susceptible to the infection.

Complications:

recurrent infection
infection at other sites

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of esophagitis CMV develop, especially if you are immunosuppressed.

Prevention:

Prevention of AIDS prevents opportunistic infections, such as those caused by the cytomegalovirus. (Opportunistic infections are infections by organisms that are not normally disease-producing, but take advantage of a situation, such as a damaged immune system.) AIDS patients who are effectively treated with antiretroviral therapy are much less likely to get CMV infection.

Review Date: 2/22/2002
Reviewed By: Camille Kotton, M.D., Infectious Diseases Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.