Sammanfattning
Background. Mènètrier disease is an uncommon, idiopathic disease characterized by development of chronic protein loss from marked gastric foveolar hyperplasia. A literature search identified several reports of self-limiting, cytomegalovirus-associated Mènètrier disease in children. Some cases have also been reported in adults.
Case report. A formerly healthy man was admitted to hospital with a serum albumin level of 11 g/l and generalised oedema. Transabdominal ultrasound and endoscopy revealed a folded thickening of the (abdominal) ventricular wall; indications of Mènètrier disease. Histological examination of endoscopic biopsies showed moderate hyperplasia in foveolar epithelium, but also suggested an infectious cause. Intranucleal inclusion bodies, CMV-specific immunology, PCR and special stains all supported cytomegalovirus infection. The patient recovered quickly on antiviral treatment.
Conclusion. Our case demonstrates that cytomegalovirus may cause severe, Mènètrier-like gastritis with protein loss in non-immune-compromised adults.