title: Anti-cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in solid-organ transplant recipients.
abstract: Ganciclovir and its prodrug, valganciclovir, are more effective than acyclovir in preventing cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in solid-organ transplant recipients. However, the indirect effects of prophylactic use of ganciclovir and acyclovir are comparable, and the greater effectiveness of ganciclovir may be compensated for by less drug-related toxicity with acyclovir or valacyclovir. No conclusive data exist concerning the best technique and duration of surveillance for CMV infection in patients for whom active surveillance for late-onset CMV should be performed, i.e., those reaching the end of prophylaxis. Only large randomised controlled trials, with long follow-up periods, will provide definitive conclusions regarding the comparative prophylactic roles of the major antiviral agents in this population, and how their use fits with a strategy of active surveillance and pre-emptive therapy.
authors.affiliation: Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBS), Athens, Greece. matthew.falagas@tufts.edu
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Falagas
authors.forename: K Z
authors.initials: KZ
authors.lastname: Vardakas
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000077562:Valganciclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077562:Valganciclovir; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D015774:Ganciclovir; D000212:Acyclovir