title: Prenatal treatment of congenital human cytomegalovirus infection by fetal intravascular administration of ganciclovir.
abstract: Ganciclovir was administered 'in utero' for 12 days in a 29-week-old fetus with ascertained congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, thrombocytopenia and elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (gammaGT) value. Efficacy of therapy was shown by reduction in virus titer of amniotic fluid and fetal urine, disappearance of viral DNA in fetal blood, and normalization of platelet count and gammaGT value. However, stillbirth occurred at 32 weeks of gestation and HCMV inclusion bodies were detected in kidneys, lungs, heart and pancreas at autopsy. During therapy, side-effects,possibly related to ganciclovir administration, were observed.
authors.affiliation: Virus Laboratory, Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gracia Revello
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Percivalle
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baldanti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerna
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kustermann
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nava
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nicolini