Background: It is uncommon for manifestations of cytomegalovirus infection to be limited to the small bowel in AIDS patients.
Case reports: Two HIV-positive patients developed cytomegalovirus infection involving the small bowel with no other visceral localization. Recurrences were frequent despite medical therapy.
Discussion: The clinical manifestations, diarrhea, fever, vomiting and abdominal pain, suggest the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus enteritis in AIDS patients. Confirmation is obtained from the small bowel study and pathology examination of biopsy specimens. Treatment is generally based on medical and surgical management using intravenous anti-cytomegalovirus drugs and partial resection. Prognosis often remains less than satisfactory in this condition which is often diagnosed late.