Diagnosis of disseminated cytomegalovirus infection and pneumonitis in a heart transplant recipient by skin biopsy: case report

J Heart Lung Transplant. 1991 Mar-Apr;10(2):329-32.

Abstract

A pulmonary infection caused by both Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus (CMV) developed in a heart transplant recipient. A presumptive diagnosis of CMV pneumonitis was made on the basis of a skin biopsy finding demonstrating CMV inclusions. This diagnosis was later supported by a positive pleural fluid culture for CMV, a greater than fourfold increase in CMV IgG antibody, and a response to therapy with ganciclovir sodium. Biopsy of skin lesions in patients at risk for CMV infections may represent an important early diagnostic tool.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Biopsy
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / pathology
  • Heart Transplantation / immunology
  • Heart Transplantation / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Inclusion Bodies, Viral / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Toxoplasma / isolation & purification
  • Toxoplasmosis / diagnosis