Volume 163, Number 2, 81-84, DOI: 10.1007/s00431-003-1372-y

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Protein-losing gastroenteropathy and retinitis associated with cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompetent infant: a case report

Manabu Iwanaga, Masafumi Zaitsu, Eiichi Ishii, Yoichi Nishimura, Shigeyasu Inada, Hiroka Yoshiki, Satoshi Okinami and Yuhei Hamasaki

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Abstract

A 6-week-old immunocompetent girl developed protein-losing gastroenteropathy (PLGE) and retinitis associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. At presentation, CMV antigenaemia (6 cells/46,000 white blood cells) and its DNA were detected in the patientrsquos blood and in the motherrsquos milk. Intravenous ganciclovir and gamma-globulin rapidly ameliorated all symptoms and CMV antigenaemia disappeared. No immunological defects were identified in this patient. To the best of our knowledge, this case involves the youngest known immunocompetent patient demonstrating CMV-induced PLGE and retinitis. Conclusion:breast-feeding by a cytomegalovirus-positive mother can be a primary cause of early onset cytomegalovirus infection in infants.

Keywords  Breast-feeding - Cytomegalovirus - Immunocompetent infant - Protein-losing gastroenteropathy - Retinitis

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