Shortness of breath in a patient with inflammatory bowel disease
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Although immunosuppressive therapy is the mainstay of medical treatment for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, the importance of CMV as a cause of pneumonia in this group is less well recognised. This case report presents a case of shortness of breath, dyspnoea and fever in a 51-year-old man with Crohn's disease on azathioprine and highlights the importance of considering CMV as a cause of pneumonia in this group.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr Richard Jackson (Consultant intensivist) and Dr Buddhavarapu Murthy (Consultant intensivist) for their advice and support.
Footnotes
Contributors: This case report was written by AA and ACE following direct contact with the patient concerned. Both doctors had core involvement in the diagnosis and treatment of said patient. The research to facilitate discussion was carried out and compiled also by AA and ACE.
Competing interests: None.
Patient consent: Obtained.
Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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