Prevalence, detection rate and outcome of cytomegalovirus infection in ulcerative colitis patients requiring colonic resection

Cytomegalovirus infection is frequently found in surgical specimens of patients with steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis and is more likely in patients on corticosteroid treatment. Cytomegalovirus infection is frequently unrecognised in pre-operative biopsy specimens, thus raising concerns about the accuracy of the available diagnostic tools. Unrecognised and untreated cytomegalovirus infection does not affect the outcome of ulcerative colitis patients following proctocolectomy.