[Open clinical trial with oral acyclovir for the prophylaxis of disease by Cytomegalovirus in low risk liver transplant recipients].
OBJECTIVE
Checking the first 70 low risk liver transplantation performed in our hospital, who did not receive prophylaxis for Cytomegalovirus, we found that the incidence of Cytomegalovirus-infection and Cytomegalovirus-disease were 47% and 16% respectively.


METHODS
For this reason we started a prospective, open clinical study, to address the safety of acyclovir prophylaxis in low-risk liver transplant patients. Seventy patients did not receive acyclovir. Fifty patients received oral acyclovir during 3 months (800-3,200 mg/day).


RESULTS
The occurrence of Cytomegalovirus infection was not modified (40%) but Cytomegalovirus disease decreased dramatically (4%, p < 0.01) during the first year after transplantation. Acyclovir was well tolerated. The incidence of leukopenia and renal failure were similar in both groups. Acyclovir did not improved the global survival of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, oral acyclovir does not reduce Cytomegalovirus infection although it is efficient and safe in the prevention of Cytomegalovirus disease in low-risk liver transplantation, and prevents Herpes-simplex and Varicela-zoster symptomatic disease in this group of patients.
Moreno
J
J
Sección de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba.
Montero
J L
JL
Gavilán
F
F
Costán
G
G
Herrero
C
C
Cárdenas
M
M
Sánchez-Guijo
P
P
Torre-Cisneros
J
J
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir