A case report of cytomegalovirus-induced colitis with colonic perforation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-induced colitis is a severe inflammatory reaction of the colon as a result of CMV infection. It typically presents in immunocompromised patients as a reactivated latent infection. Complications include toxic megacolon, necrotizing colitis, peritonitis, and sepsis. Colonic perforation may also result from the inflammation and ischemic injury, but it is exceedingly rare. We present a case of a patient with stage IV urothelial carcinoma who developed perforation of the sigmoid colon secondary to CMV infection. She had an unremarkable sigmoidoscopy evaluation four days prior to her presentation. The patient died two weeks after the colonic perforation in the hospital from sepsis secondary to the colonic perforation.