Effect of leukocyte interferon on urinary excretion of cytomegalovirus by infants

J Infect Dis. 1976 Jun:133 Suppl:A205-10. doi: 10.1093/infdis/133.supplement_2.a205.

Abstract

Five infants with symptomatic cytomegalovirus infections and high urinary titers of cytomegalovirus were treated with interferon in doses of 1.7-3.5 X 10(5) reference units/kg per day for seven to 14 days. Six courses of treatment were given. One of two infants treated with the largest dose of interferon had transient suppression of viruria; no suppression was noted during the other five courses of treatment. Adverse effects noted included a low rate of weight gain, a transient elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase and fever. Further trials are needed to determine whether larger doses of a more purified preparation of interferon will eliminate viruria in infants with sytomegalovirus infection, but careful assessment of toxicity will be necessary in this population of patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cytomegalovirus / drug effects*
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / urine*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / drug therapy
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / drug therapy
  • Interferons / adverse effects
  • Interferons / therapeutic use*
  • Leukocytes
  • Male

Substances

  • Interferons