BUS did not think that the results of this study were really that surprising, given the fact that immuno-suppressants suppress the immune system it is likely that you may suffer from infections of various sorts, whether it is cystitis, sinusitis, colds or flu or something more serious like cytomegalovirus colitis and viremia.

The following paper entitled “Cytomegalovirus colitis and viremia from mycophenolate mofetil monotherapy in birdshot chorioretinopathy” was published in Ocul. Immunol. Inflamm. 2011 Dec; vol. 19(6) pp. 450-2.

Author: Pantanelli SM, Khalifa YM

The paper describes a case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia and colitis in a patient on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) monotherapy for birdshot chorioretinopathy. It showed that treatment with MMF 1.5 g twice daily for 5 years led to leucopenia and a CD4 count of 299, which resulted in active CMV infection.

The papers conclusion was that treatment with MMF alone may put otherwise immune-competent individuals at risk for opportunistic CMV infection. It is hope that awareness of this possible association may allow for better monitoring, earlier detection, and treatment in future cases.

PMID: 22106917

URL – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22106917?dopt=Citation