Final answer:
A classic patient with CMV esophagitis or colitis is usually an immunocompromised individual, who may present with symptoms like fever and swollen glands. The diagnosis can be confirmed through microscopic evaluation with staining or more sensitive tests like PCR, and treatment typically involves antiviral drugs such as ganciclovir or foscarnet.
Step-by-step explanation:
A classic patient with CMV esophagitis and/or colitis would typically be an immunocompromised individual, such as a transplantation recipient, an individual with AIDS, or a neonate. These patients may present with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, swollen glands, and pharyngitis. CMV cells show characteristic "owl's eye" intranuclear inclusions which are visible under a microscope when stained with specific types of stains like Wright-Giemsa, hematoxylin, and eosin. For more severe CMV infections, tests with higher sensitivity, such as enzyme immunoassay (EIA), indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) tests, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are used to detect the presence of CMV antigen or DNA, and can also determine viral load. The treatment for serious CMV infections often involves antiviral drugs such as ganciclovir, valganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir.