Unique Cytomegalovirus Tongue Ulcer in an Older Adult Patient with Prolonged Systemic Steroid Treatment

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the Herpesviridae family that infects humans. It infects approximately 90% of adults. It is an opportunistic pathogen, common among immunosuppressed patients and can affect multiple organs. To date, there has been only one reported case of a CMV-related tongue ulcer that occurred during steroid treatment. Case Presentation We report a case of CMV tongue ulcer in an elder, immunodeficient patient under prolonged steroid treatment. Management and Prognosis A 67-year-old man under chronic steroidal treatment due to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD) and poorly treated diabetes mellitus (DM) was hospitalized in Soroka university medical center. He suffered from an ulcerative wound about 10 mm in its greater diameter with raised margins on the left lateral tongue. Daktarin Oral Gel treatment showed no improvement. On histopathological examination, a diagnosis of CMV-related tongue ulcer was given. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the most detailed case report of CMV tongue ulcer due to prolonged steroid treatment. An early diagnosis of CMV infection in patients with oral lesions is crucial because CMV infection can increase immunosuppression, and is associated with opportunistic infections.