Cytomegalovirus disease in high-risk transplant recipients despite ganciclovir or valganciclovir prophylaxis

Am J Transplant. 2003 Jun;3(6):731-5. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-6143.2003.00140.x.

Abstract

The clinical patterns and predictors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in kidney and/or pancreas transplant patients on ganciclovir (1.0 g po t.i.d.) or valganciclovir (450 mg po q.d.) prophylaxis were studied. This is a retrospective analysis of 129 transplant recipients. Median follow up was 12 months (range, 6-18 months). The overall incidence of CMV disease at 1-year post-transplant was 14% (4% tissue-invasive, 10% noninvasive). Seventeen of 18 patients were diagnosed with CMV after completion of 3 months' prophylaxis (median 8 weeks, range, 2-28 weeks). Induction treatment with thymoglobulin, and Donor +/Recipient - CMV status were the strongest predictors for the development of CMV disease. Cytomegalovirus incidence was not different between patients treated with ganciclovir or valganciclovir (15 vs. 17%, respectively). Valganciclovir (450 mg q.d.) is as effective as oral ganciclovir in CMV prophylaxis. High-risk individuals might require higher doses or longer duration of valganciclovir treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / etiology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Ganciclovir / analogs & derivatives
  • Ganciclovir / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / adverse effects
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Pancreas Transplantation*
  • Valganciclovir

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Valganciclovir
  • Ganciclovir