CRP and inflammatory bowel disease: Symptoms of CMV colitis are nonspecific and may mimic symptoms of IBD flares.49 Symptoms may include diarrhea, bloody stool, crampy stomach pain, rectal urgency, and tenesmus as well as systemic symptoms like fever, anorexia, malaise, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.50-52 Hematochezia (bloody stools) and diarrhea are recognized as the two most common symptoms.51 The biochemical abnormality may include: elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, low WBC counts, and low hemoglobin and albumin levels as well as thrombocytopenia.50