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Phantom cytomegalovirus infection in vasculitis patients: what it means and what to do

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Abstract

We report our experience and hypothesis on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with vasculitis who are simultaneously diagnosed with serum-positive cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies and negative CMV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It remains unknown how to treat this kind of “phantom” CMV infection. In a patient diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein vasculitis, CMV IgM titers were increased while angiitis and renal function deteriorated. Empiric treatment of phantom CMV infection with ganciclovir in this CMV IgM-positive and PCR-negative patient resulted in complete vasculitis remission, serum CMV antibody seroconversion, and renal function improvement. These results imply something more than coincidence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Aggeliki Kostoula, Konstantinos P. Katopodis, Kostas C. Siamopoulos & Kostas C. Siamopoulos

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  1. Konstantinos H. Katsanos
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  2. Aggeliki Kostoula
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  3. Konstantinos P. Katopodis
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  4. Kostas C. Siamopoulos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kostas C. Siamopoulos.

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Katsanos, K.H., Kostoula, A., Katopodis, K.P. et al. Phantom cytomegalovirus infection in vasculitis patients: what it means and what to do. Rheumatol Int 25, 631–632 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-004-0522-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-004-0522-5

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