Atypical presentation of cytomegalovirus infection in a liver transplant patient

J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2011 Dec;1(3):207-9. doi: 10.1016/S0973-6883(11)60236-3. Epub 2012 Jan 2.

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common viral infection in solid organ transplant recipients. Symptomatic infection usually presents with fever, pneumonia, colitis, or cytopenia. We describe a case of symptomatic CMV infection in a liver transplant recipient presenting with atypical symptoms of only persistent nausea and vomiting, in the absence of classical symptoms and signs; thus, highlighting the importance of high index of suspicion of CMV in immunocompromised patients, keeping in mind the high morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.

Keywords: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; ANA, anti-nuclear antibody; ASMA, antibody smooth muscle antigen; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; Atypical presentation; CMV, cytomegalovirus; EBV, Epstein-Barr virus; HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; HEV, hepatitis E virus; INR, international normalized ratio; anti-HBc, antibody-hepatitis B core; anti-HCV, antibody-hepatitis C virus; anti-LKM, antibody-liver–kidney-microsomal antigen; cytomegalovirus; i.v., intravenous; immunosuppressed; liver transplant; transplantation.