Cytomegalovirus Infection Mimics Manifestations of Underlying diseases
in Patients with Autoimmune disorders: A Case Report and Literature
review
Abstract
Background: Patients with autoimmune disorders are highly susceptible to
infections including cytomegalovirus leading to serious complications
ranging from asymptomatic to severe systemic diseases. Case
presentation: The first case was a 44-year-old woman with systemic lupus
erythematosus referred to the Rheumatology ward due to a necrotizing
ulcer on the hand finger and multiple ulcerative lesions on her lips and
tongue. She had pancytopenia and positive results for both herpes
simplex virus and cytomegalovirus PCR (CMV-PCR); she was treated with
Ganciclovir and ultimately recovered. The second case was a 55-year-old
man, a known sarcoidosis case, admitted to the hospital due to lower
extremities weakness and intraoral ulcers. The lab findings revealed
leukopenia and elevated levels of ESR and CRP. Viral markers were all
negative except for the CMV-PCR test. EMG-NCV showed subacute axonal
motor polyneuropathy in the lower limbs. Due to the high titers of CMV,
he was treated with Ganciclovir and the symptoms improved dramatically.
Conclusion: CMV infection in rheumatic patients may lead to rare
manifestations that can be misdiagnosed as a flare of the underlying
disease.