Cytomegalovirus is a type of herpes viruses which can cause a primary infection or reactivate after a latent period. It can involve all organs including the gastrointestinal system. The most common presentation of GI involvement is colitis.
In this report, we describe a middle-aged woman presenting with diarrhea, ascites, and edema in both upper and lower extremities. She had no history of immunodeficiency or use of immunomodulators. Colonoscopic and pathologic findings revealed CMV colitis leading to protein-losing enteropathy.
CMV colitis, though rare in immunocompetent patients, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of diarrhea and abdominal pain.