CMV Esophagitis

Definition

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) esophagitis is a viral infection of the esophagus, the muscular tube through which food travels from the mouth to the stomach.

See also:

• CMV gastroenteritis
• CMV retinitis
• Cytomegalovirus - immunocompromised host
• Congenital cytomegalovirus

Alternative Names

Cytomegalovirus esophagitis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

CMV is caused by the cytomegalovirus (CMV). This condition usually affects people who have a weakened immune system.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Difficult and painful swallowing
• Low-grade fever
• Mouth sores (oral lesions)

Signs and tests

• Blood and urine culture
• CMV antigenemia
• Cold agglutinins
• Culture of cells obtained from an esophageal brushing
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with or without a biopsy

Treatment

Treatment involves antiviral medications that are given through a vein (intravenous) or by mouth (orally).

Expectations (prognosis)

Esophagitis can usually be treated effectively. The outcome depends upon the immune system problem that makes the person susceptible to the infection.

Complications

• Infection at other sites
• Recurrent infection

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of CMV esophagitis, especially if you have a suppressed immune system.

Prevention

Preventing AIDS can help avoid opportunistic infections, such as those caused by the cytomegalovirus. (Opportunistic infections are infections by organisms that are not normally disease-producing, but that take advantage of a situation, such as a damaged immune system.) People with AIDS who are effectively treated with antiretroviral therapy are much less likely to get CMV infection.