Cytomegalovirus proctitis as a complication of COVID-19 with immunosuppressive treatments

We report a case of reactivated biopsy-proven cytomegalovirus proctitis complicating the course of severe COVID-19 pneumonia treated with dexamethasone, anakinra and lopinavir/ritonavir. No other contributing factor was found than iatrogenic immunosuppression and COVID-19 immune dysregulation. We draw attention to the immunosuppressive risk when treating severe COVID-19 pneumonia with immunomodulators. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

This case report describes a patient with reactivated cytomegalovirus proctitis complicating severe COVID-19 pneumonia treated with dexamethasone, anakinra, and lopinavir/ritonavir. The herpes virus proctitis was attributed to iatrogenic immunosuppression and immune dysregulation related to COVID-19, highlighting the immunosuppressive risks associated with using immunomodulators in the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia.