Cytomegalovirus-associated colitis causing diarrhea in an immunocompetent patient

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis rarely occurs in immuno- competent patients. We report a case of disabling and life threatening diarrhea in an immunocompetent elderly woman due to CMV colitis. The diagnosis of CMV was based on histological examination of tissues biopsied at colonoscopy, positive CMV antigen and high CMV-IgM titer in peripheral blood samples and a good response to systemic gancyclovir treatment. We conclude that CMV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of coli- tis in elderly immunocompetent patients.