| Abstrakt: |
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infects between 50 to 85% of the world wide population by early adulthood. The virus commonly affects young women between 19 to 30 years, resulting in an asymptomatic infection. However, infection in pregnant women carries certain risks including early spontaneous abortion and fetal infection with potential congenital abnormalities. Although CMV has not been identified as a causative agent in the development of cervical carcinoma thus far, cervical CMV infection has been identified by polymerase chain reaction and culture in women diagnosed with varying degrees of cervical dysplasia, as well as invasive cervical carcinoma. Histologically diagnosed CMV infection of the cervix, however, is quite rare with only few reported cases thus far. We herein report a case of histologically diagnosed cervical CMV infection in a 24-year old woman. The patient has a history of urinary tract infection and bacterial vaginosis. Following two consecutive pap smears and a cervical biopsy showing a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, she underwent loop electrocautery excision. Microscopic examination showed a completely excised high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion with background active inflammation. Few scattered large cells with inclusions were identified within the cytoplasm of endocervical glandular epithelial cells. These inclusions subsequently stained positively with anti-CMV antibody. The histological features described in our case, in addition to other features reported in the literature such as lymphoid follicles and fibrin thrombi within small vessels, should alert the pathologist to the possibility of cervical CMV infection. Detection is particularly important in women who may be immunocompromised or planning a future pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
