Haemorrhagic cystitis due to cytomegalovirus in a patient with AIDS

Abstract

Background

Cytomegalovirus-related infections are commonly seen in immunocompromised patients. However, haemorrhagic cystitis is an exceptionally rare associated manifestation. We present an unusual case of cytomegalovirus-related haemorrhagic cystitis in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Case presentation

A 33-year-old HIV-positive female presented with acute gross haematuria and suprapubic pain. Cystoscopy revealed features suggestive of haemorrhagic cystitis with clots in the bladder and an ulcerative lesion on the left lateral wall which was biopsied. Histology demonstrated the presence of enlarged cells containing eosinophilic intranuclear and ill-defined amphophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions. Immunohistochemistry was positive for cytomegalovirus.

Conclusion

This case appears to be the first of its kind reported in South Africa highlighting the importance of considering cytomegalovirus as a potential infectious aetiology in AIDS patients with haematuria. Bladder irrigation with normal saline with or without clot evacuation combined with Ganciclovir are associated with good outcome.

1 Background

Symptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common in immunocompromised individuals and may produce a diverse spectrum of disease. Whilst gastrointestinal, ocular and neurologic manifestations are well described in the setting of AIDS, urinary tract manifestations are rare and are reported predominantly following stem cell transplants [1]. We present an unusual case of CMV associated haemorrhagic cystitis in an individual infected with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

1.1 Case presentation

A 33-year-old HIV-positive female presented with a history of acute onset haematuria and suprapubic pain. She had defaulted on her anti-retroviral regimen 3 years earlier, due to drug intolerance. Her current absolute CD4 count was 20 cells/µL and her HIV viral load was 2,110,000 copies/ml. Physical examination revealed total gross haematuria with urinary retention due to clots. There was no necroturia.

Urine microscopy revealed the presence of numerous erythrocytes but no red blood cell casts, leucocytes, acid-fast bacilli, parasites or bacterial growth. Contrast enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed a non-enhancing filling defect in the bladder. No other urinary tract abnormalities were detected. Serological markers for inflammation were not raised. The coagulation profile was unremarkable and her renal function was normal.

Treatment was commenced with analgesia and continuous saline irrigation following a bedside bladder washout. After 72 h of bladder irrigation, her urine was macroscopically clear. Cystoscopy demonstrated oedematous and haemorrhagic mucosa, with residual clots in the bladder and an ulcerative lesion on the left lateral wall which was biopsied (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

Cystoscopy image showing an ulcerative lesion surrounded by areas of inflammation of the mucosa

A provisional diagnosis of haemorrhagic cystitis of unknown aetiology was made. Three weeks after the initial presentation, the patient was readmitted with a recurrence of haematuria. She was once again commenced on saline bladder irrigation.

Histology from the biopsy demonstrated ulceration with underlying granulation tissue, the presence of a significant mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate within the lamina propria consisting of lymphocytes, histiocytes and eosinophils. Focal enlarged cells demonstrating viral cytopathy were identified, with ill-defined amphophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions and large nuclei. A chronic active cystitis was present with focal cells showing viral cytopathy (Fig. 2). Immunohistochemistry was positive for cytomegalovirus (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2

H&E: 1000 × magnification showing cytomegalovirus (CMV) infected cells (black arrows). CMV-infected cells are enlarged, show eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions with halos (Cowdry type B inclusions) as well as ill-defined amphophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions

Fig. 3

H&E: 1000 × magnification showing positive staining of CMV-infected cells with CMV immunochemistry (black arrows)

Serology for CMV revealed IgG positive, IgM negative, and CMV viral load 1165 IU/ml. Screening for CMV retinitis revealed no abnormalities. The decision was made to treat with Ganciclovir 5 mg 12 hourly intravenously for 14 days. Symptoms improved following bladder irrigation and antiviral therapy with no recurrence of haematuria at 6 months. Follow-up cystoscopy revealed a resolution of the mucosal ulceration with a small residual posterior wall oedema and punctate mucosal haemorrhages.

The patient was referred for re-initiation of anti-retroviral treatment, with a reduction in the HIV viral load to 2130 copies/ml after 6 weeks of treatment.

2 Discussion

Our patient report outlines a rare case of CMV haemorrhagic cystitis not associated with transplant, but rather with HIV/AIDS. This case appears to be the first of its kind reported in South Africa. With 4 previously documented cases, a review of available literature suggests that cystitis as a sole clinical manifestation of CMV infection in a patient with AIDS is rare. In all previously described cases, CMV was diagnosed on bladder biopsy in patients with symptoms such as bladder pain or haematuria. In at least one case, endoscopy revealed macroscopically normal bladder mucosa. A case of more complicated cystitis with resultant bladder perforation and concomitant ureteritis has also been described. At least two of the patients received antiviral therapy, which was followed by symptom resolution [1,2,3,4].

2.1 Haemorrhagic cystitis

Haemorrhagic cystitis is defined as diffuse inflammation of the bladder resulting in mucosal bleeding [5]. Droller et al. described a grading system for the classification of haemorrhagic cystitis.

• 0—No symptoms of bladder irritability, no haematuria.

• 1—Microscopic haematuria

• 2—Macroscopic haematuria

• 3—Macroscopic haematuria with small clots

• 4—Massive macroscopic haematuria requiring instrumentation for clots and/or clot retention [6].

Haemorrhagic cystitis is usually managed by a urologist, particularly when macroscopic haematuria with clots is present. Patients may require haemodynamic stabilisation and/or transfusion, as well as empiric antimicrobial therapy when an infective cause is suspected. Coagulopathy should be excluded. Evacuation of clots may be performed via a three-way Foley urethral catheter or via cystoscopy in severe cases. During cystoscopy, fulguration of vascular lesions may be performed [5]. Laser or argon beam ablation of bleeding vessels at the time of cystoscopy has also been described [7]. Following this, saline irrigation is commenced to prevent clot retention and the complications of obstructive uropathy. Should the haematuria persist despite these conventional interventions, a number of adjunctive intravesical, systemic and surgical therapies may be considered for haemostasis [5].

Intravesical alum therapy (aluminium ammonium sulphate or aluminium potassium sulphate) has been described for persistent haematuria due to haemorrhagic cystitis. A 1% solution in sterile water is typically described, although normal saline has also been used. The solution is run as bladder irrigation at approximately 250–300 ml/h. Aluminium salts have astringent properties within the bladder, resulting in vasoconstriction and reduced capillary permeability by means of protein precipitation. In one series, response to alum irrigation was observed in approximately 60% of patients. The most frequent adverse effect is bladder spasm. Aluminium toxicity is rare, but is of particular concern in patients with existing renal impairment, which may limit the excretion of serum aluminium [8]. As a practical, fast-acting and well-tolerated therapy, intravesical alum has been recommended as a first line therapy for haemorrhagic cystitis in inpatients with normal renal function who do not respond to conventional bladder irrigation [9].

Hyaluronic acid (HA), a mucopolysaccharide with immunomodulatory properties, has been recommended as an intravesical therapy. Instillation into the bladder is thought to aid in the repair of the glycoaminoglycan layer, an important urothelial defence mechanism against toxins and bacterial adherence [5, 7, 9]. Six doses of 40 mg hyaluronic acid over 3 months, each retained within the bladder for 20 min, have been found to be at least as efficacious as hyperbaric oxygen therapy for reducing bleeding in haemorrhagic cystitis and adverse effects are uncommon [10]. Its use, however, is limited to stable outpatients with haematuria due to its slow onset of action. As an established therapy for painful bladder syndrome, HA is particularly useful in patients with radiation cystitis who report haematuria as well as bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms [7].

Other intravesical agents have been described for treatment of haemorrhagic cystitis, including e-aminocaprioc acid, silver nitrate, fibrin glue, phenol and prostaglandins. The evidence for these therapies is mostly described within small case series and as such they have yet to be recommended for routine use [5, 7, 9].

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of haemorrhagic cystitis, particularly in the setting of radiation-induced cystitis. The inhalation of 100% O₂ at 1.4–3 atmospheres results in tissue hyperoxygenation which induces neo-vascularisation, promotes healthy granulation tissue deposition and causes vasoconstriction. Up to 87.5% of patients experience resolution of bleeding. The most frequently reported complications are otitis and visual disturbances related to barotrauma. HBOT has been recommended as a first-line therapy for persistent bleeding due to haemorrhagic cystitis and may be applied in an inpatient or outpatient setting, but its use may be limited by access to the resources and skills required for administration [7, 9].

Systemic treatment with oral sodium pentosanpolysulphate (SPP) may reduce bleeding in haemorrhagic cystitis. Its mechanism of action is comparable to HA, and similarly, it may be beneficial for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. A few case series’ have demonstrated it to be a practical treatment, with the advantages of oral administration and few adverse effects [7]. An initial dose of 100 mg three times a day followed by a reduced maintenance dose of 100 mg daily resulted in complete or partial resolution of haematuria in approximately 50% of patients in a single series [11]. SPP has a slow onset of action (up to 8 weeks), and its use is therefore most appropriate in stable outpatients with recurrent haematuria [7].

At present there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine administration of systemic tranexamic acid in the setting of haemorrhagic cystitis. Clinicians should also be aware of the concern of clot formation within the urinary tract [9]. WF10 is another experimental intravenous treatment which has been studied for use in haemorrhagic cystitis. It is thought to reduce urothelial inflammation through its actions on macrophages, T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells [7].

Patients with refractory haematuria, who fail to respond to the aforementioned therapies, may require more drastic intervention, particularly if the bleeding becomes life-threatening.

Intravesical formalin instillation is a rapid and effective therapy which is believed to cause occlusion of the urothelial microvasculature by protein precipitation. Morbidity and mortality associated with formalin use is proportional to the concentration used. The exclusion of vesico-ureteric reflux is essential prior to administration to avoid secondary ureteric obstruction. Lower concentrations of 1–2%, retained within the bladder for 15 min under general or regional anaesthetic, are best tolerated and associated with resolution of haematuria in approximately 70% of patients. Intravesical formalin should be reserved for patients who fail to respond to conventional non-invasive therapies and clinicians should be aware of the need to monitor for potential complications following administration [5, 7, 9].

Arterial embolization has been recommended as a treatment for refractory haematuria from various aetiologies, including haemorrhagic cystitis. The procedure does not require general anaesthesia and has a response rate of 88–100%. The most common complication is gluteal pain due to superior gluteal artery occlusion. However, super-selective embolization using microparticles reduces this and other ischaemic complications [5, 9].

Rarely, refractory haemorrhagic cystitis may warrant surgical intervention. Urinary diversion alone may be performed to reduce the exposure of bleeding surfaces to urokinase. However, cystectomy should also be considered for haemostasis particularly in patients who are able to tolerate the procedure [5, 9]. Cystectomy with urinary diversion for bleeding is a last resort, as the procedure is associated with a 42% incidence of severe complications and up to 16% of patients may not survive beyond 90 days [12].

Once the cause of bleeding has been identified, additional disease-specific therapy may be required.

2.2 Cytomegalovirus cystitis

A comprehensive history and physical examination in conjunction with urinalysis, imaging and endoscopic evaluation may differentiate haemorrhagic cystitis from other causes of haematuria such as malignancy, stones, benign prostatic hyperplasia, trauma and intrinsic glomerular disease. Common non-infectious causes of cystitis include radiation, chemotherapy (especially cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide), environmental toxins and interstitial cystitis. Systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, amyloidosis and Crohn’s disease may also cause cystitis. Whilst infectious cystitis refers commonly to bacterial infection, it may also refer to viral, fungal, schistosomal or mycobacterial disease [5].

Viral cystitis is usually described in patients post-haemopoetic cell transplantation. In particular, BK polyomavirus and adenovirus have been identified as causing haemorrhagic cystitis in this setting [13]. Cases involving cytomegalovirus, JC polyomavirus or human herpesvirus-6 are encountered less frequently [5].

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a betaherpesvirus that commonly infects humans. Primary infection is usually asymptomatic or may produce a syndrome resembling infectious mononucleosis. Thereafter the virus remains latent. Host T cell-mediated immunity controls viral replication, with immunocompetent hosts generally remaining asymptomatic. CMV disease, therefore, occurs largely in the setting of immunological suppression or immaturity [14, 15].

Disease in these immunocompromised hosts may be due to primary infection but more commonly represents reactivation. In post-transplant patients, the risk is greatest in recipients who are seropositive for CMV, particularly when receiving grafts from a seronegative donor [16]. In HIV-positive patients, symptomatic disease typically occurs in those with CD4⁺ cell counts below 100 μl and/or HIV viral loads of > 100,000 copies/ml [17, 18]. Retinal, gastrointestinal and central nervous system CMV disease is well described in immunosuppressed solid organ or haemopoetic cell transplant recipients and also in individuals with AIDS. Reports of urinary manifestations, however, including ureteritis and cystitis, are largely confined to individuals post-haemopoetic cell transplant [19, 20].

The diagnosis of CMV disease may be challenging. Viral replication and shedding may occur without producing symptomatic disease. Laboratory tests have a limited value in proving end-organ disease [17].

In this case, the patient’s positive IgG with a negative IgM may be suggestive of reactivation disease. However, serology for suspected CMV disease in immunocompromised individuals has limited diagnostic value on its own [18, 21].

CMV viral loads, obtained using quantitative PCR, are commonly used to predict disease and initiate pre-emptive antiviral therapy in asymptomatic, seropositive patients. Patients with symptoms, however, may be treated at lower viral loads. Results are difficult to interpret because of concerns regarding standardisation across sample types and different assays. There is also a lack of consensus on the threshold values for treatment, particularly in AIDS patients [18, 21].

CMV cystitis is diagnosed when the virus is identified (by culture, immunohistochemical analysis, or in situ hybridisation) and histologic features of inflammation and CMV infection are present on bladder biopsy [22]. In fact, histopathology remains the gold standard for diagnosing all CMV disease and organ involvement. Characteristic features include cellular and nuclear enlargement as well as the presence of cytoplasmic inclusions-aggregates of CMV nucleoproteins as a result of viral replication [23]. Cystoscopy and biopsy, therefore, is a key component in the evaluation of undiagnosed haemorrhagic cystitis in immunocompromised patients. Some authors suggest that deeper biopsies, obtained using a resectoscope, may be required for diagnosis [4].

Once symptomatic disease is diagnosed, Ganciclovir is the drug of choice for the treatment of CMV. Patients should be monitored for neutropaenia and symptom improvement [21]. Cidofovir is an alternative reserved for Ganciclovir-refractory disease, although nephrotoxicity may be a concern [24].

3 Conclusion

Haemorrhagic cystitis remains a challenging condition for urologists to manage. This case highlights the importance of considering CMV as a potential infectious aetiology in AIDS patients with haematuria more especially when they are not on HAART. Under these circumstances, bladder biopsy may play an important role in the evaluation of undiagnosed lower urinary tract symptoms or haemorrhagic cystitis. Multisystem disease may not always be present and cystoscopic features are not pathognomic, and therefore, a low threshold for biopsy should be maintained. Bladder irrigation with normal saline with or without clot evacuation combined with Ganciclovir is effective in the resolution of symptoms and the prevention of complications in these patients.