Cytomegalovirus viremia in an 11-year-old child with sickle cell disease manifested only with fever: a case report

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a widespread virus, and it affects people of all ages. Infection with this virus causes severe life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients and newborns. While CMV infection is asymptomatic or present as a mild illness in most cases of immunocompetent patient, it may cause severe diseases in 10% of cases. Case presentation: Here, the authors describe the case of an 11-year-old male presented with an ischemic stroke due to sickle cell disease; who, during hospitalization, developed a prolonged fever. After excluding bacterial infections, infiltrating diseases, rheumatologic diseases, malignancies, and other possible causes, he was diagnosed with CMV infection, which not checked initially, because most cases are asymptomatic. Conclusion: This case highlights the need to consider CMV infection in the differential diagnosis of every case of fever of unknown origin, regardless of the patient’s immune status.