A case report of coinfection of cytomegalovirus colitis and tuberculosis of the intestine in an older patient with heterozygous beta-thalassemia-induced immunodeficiency

Abstract

While thalassemia major is a known immunodeficient state, reports of thalassemia minor presenting with immunodeficiency are rare. We present a 66-year-old male with acute abdomen, hemorrhagic colitis, and septic shock. He was diagnosed with coinfection of intestinal tuberculosis and cytomegalovirus colitis secondary to an immunodeficient state due to heterozygous beta-thalassemia.

Keywords

• beta-thalassemia in the elderly
• cytomegalovirus and tuberculosis in the elderly
• immunosenescence
• secondary immunodeficiency