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Treatment and Prophylaxis of Cytomegalovirus Disease
Author(s) -
Levinson Miriam L.,
Jacobson Pamala A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/j.1875-9114.1992.tb04464.x
Subject(s) - ganciclovir , foscarnet , retinitis , medicine , cytomegalovirus , immunology , cytomegalovirus retinitis , pneumonitis , valganciclovir , disease , adverse effect , valaciclovir , population , viral disease , herpesviridae , human cytomegalovirus , virus , lung , environmental health
The diseases caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) may threaten the life or sight of immunocompromised individuals such as patients undergoing transplantation and those with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The management of CMV disease can be difficult. The antiviral agents ganciclovir and foscarnet are effective against CMV retinitis and gastrointestinal diseases, although dose‐limiting adverse effects and the need for long‐term maintenance therapy may hinder their use in many patients. When used to treat CMV pneumonitis in bone marrow transplant recipients, ganciclovir alone is not as effective as when it is combined with immune globulin. Since CMV disease can be fatal, several protocols have been developed for the transplant patient population, including administration of acyclovir, ganciclovir, screened blood products, and immune globulins.