Cytomegalovirus Proctitis in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia on Ibrutinib Therapy: A Case Report

Ibrutinib is a Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor that has shown significant efficacy in patients with lymphoid carcinomas, mostly chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is not a common infectious complication associated with ibrutinib. To increase the clinical awareness about this rare entity, we present the first case of CMV proctitis in an immunocompromised host who was being treated with ibrutinib. An 88-year old female with a history of CLL treated with ibrutinib presented with two days of painless hematochezia. Physical examination revealed cachexia and temporal wasting; bright red blood was observed on the digital rectal examination. A complete blood count demonstrated a significant decrease in hemoglobin from her baseline. Subsequent colonoscopy revealed a circumferential rectal ulcer; biopsy of the rectal ulcer was positive for CMV immunostain. The patient was treated with intravenous ganciclovir and later transitioned to valganciclovir for a total of 21 days of treatment. Her condition resolved, and she was found doing well at the follow-up visit.