2538 Severe Protein-Losing Enteropathy and CMV Duodenitis in an Immunocompetent Male

INTRODUCTION: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, typically associated with immunodeficiency, has been reported to also occur in immunocompetent patients. CMV infection of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is uncommon in immunocompetent hosts and typically involves the lower GI tract. We encountered a case of CMV duodenitis associated with severe protein-losing enteropathy in an otherwise healthy male. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 27-year-old man with a 2-year history of mild, intermittent non-bloody diarrhea presented with 2 weeks of worsening diarrhea, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and poor oral tolerance. His only medication was emtricitabine/tenofovir for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, initiated 4 months prior to presentation. Physical examination revealed a tender epigastrium and anasarca. Laboratory evaluation showed WBC 13.2 K/mcL (12.2% monocytes), albumin 1.9 g/dL, AST 64 U/L, ALT 77 U/L, total bilirubin 1.0 mg/dL, INR 1.0, and lipase 346 U/L. Serum HIV antigen/antibody was negative, and CD4 cell count was 873 cells/mcL. Urinalysis was unremarkable and was without proteinuria. Stool studies were negative for common enteric bacterial pathogens, Clostridium difficile, Giardia , and ova/parasites. Fecal calprotectin was elevated at 390 µg/g. MRI/MRCP imaging of the abdomen and pelvis showed a thickened duodenum, and peripancreatic fat stranding and fluid (suggestive of acute pancreatitis), without biliary or pancreatic duct dilation. EGD showed severe duodenitis with diffuse erythema, mucosal denudation, patchy erosions, and nonbleeding ulcerations. Biopsy with immunostain revealed CMV duodenitis. Serum CMV DNA was mildly elevated at 142 IU/mL. Following multidisciplinary discussion, supportive care was provided without antiviral therapy. Over the next month, the patient improved clinically, with normalization of serum albumin, transaminases, and CMV titer. DISCUSSION: Several reports have described tissue invasive CMV infection in immunocompetent patients, primarily involving the colon. CMV duodenitis and pancreatitis are rare, even in immunocompromised patients. Our case describes a healthy man with severe CMV duodenitis resulting in protein-losing enteropathy. CMV likely caused mild acute pancreatitis in our patient as well. A recent systematic review did not support antiviral therapy for immunocompetent patients with CMV. Supportive care with close monitoring may be sufficient; however, further investigation is needed to routinely support this practice.