Antibodies to cytomegalovirus in ulcerative colitis and in Crohn's disease
Bernades, P.; Nataf, C.; Ferchal, F.; Colimon, R.
Gastroenterologie Clinique et Biologique 4(2): 128-133
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0399-8320 PMID: 6245008 Document Number: 159467
The prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in ulcerative colitis and in Crohn's disease was assessed. The titer of antibodies to CMV was determined in 44 patients with ulcerative colitis, in 60 patients with Crohn's disease and in 58 controls. The prevalence of anti-CMV at a titer .gtoreq. 1/8, i.e., considered as a valuable index of a past infection with CMV, was significantly higher in patients with ulcerative colitis than in controls. The prevalence of anti-CMV at a titer .gtoreq. 1/32, i.e., definitely positive, was significantly higher in patients with ulcerative colitis than in controls and in patients with Crohn's disease. The anti-CMV titers were not different in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease according to their age, sex, race, distribution of the lesions, duration or activity of the disease, previous blood transfusions or previous treatment with corticosteroids. The relationship of CMV infection with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is discussed.