title: A prospective assessment of valganciclovir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus infection and disease in transplant recipients.
abstract: We assessed valganciclovir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in organ-transplant recipients. Virologic and clinical outcomes were compared with those in matched historical control individuals. Thirty-two patients (23 with symptomatic disease) received valganciclovir, and 32 patients received intravenous (iv) ganciclovir. The rate of virologic clearance by day 21 of therapy was similar in the valganciclovir arm (50.0%) and the ganciclovir arm (46.9%) (P value not significant). The change from baseline viral load by day 7 and day 14 of therapy was similar in both arms. Two patients treated with valganciclovir required a switch to iv ganciclovir, because of a lack of response. Valganciclovir is useful for the treatment of CMV infection and disease in selected organ-transplant recipients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases and Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. atul.humar@uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: Atul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Humar
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Siegal
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moussa
authors.forename: Deepali
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077562:Valganciclovir; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077562:Valganciclovir; D015774:Ganciclovir