title: Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis with valganciclovir in cytomegalovirus-seropositive kidney-transplant patients.
abstract: The aims of this prospective, open-label, single-center pilot study were to assess the efficacy and safety of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) prophylaxis using valganciclovir in HCMV- seropositive kidney-transplant patients to prevent HCMV infection and disease. Fifty-one HCMV seropositive kidney-transplant patients recipients who received transplants between 1 December 2005 and 30 November 2006 were included in the study. Valganciclovir was given from transplantation up to 114 (37-329) days, and was adapted to renal function, i.e., 900 mg/d if calculated creatinine clearance was >60 ml/min, or 450 mg/day if it was <60 ml/min. HCMV DNAemia was assessed every 2 weeks during prophylaxis, and on the same basis for 3 months post-prophylaxis. Immunosuppression was based on calcineurin inhibitors (ciclosporine A=22; tacrolimus=11), with mycophenolate mofetil (n=51), and low-dose steroids. Eighteen patients received no calcineurin-inhibitors, but Belatacept instead. During valganciclovir prophylaxis, asymptomatic HCMV DNAemia was observed in one patient, and no case of HCMV disease occurred. Within 252 days (45-425) post-valganciclovir prophylaxis, HCMV DNAemia was detected in 23.5% (n=12) of patients, of whom two had two or more consecutive HCMV DNAemias. Valganciclovir prophylaxis in HCMV-seropositive kidney-transplant patients is effective for preventing cytomegalovirus disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Multiorgan Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wéclawiak
authors.forename: Nassim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kamar
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mengelle
authors.forename: Joëlle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guitard
authors.forename: Laure
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lavayssière
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cointault
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ribes
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rostaing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000077562:Valganciclovir; D014766:Viremia / Q000517:prevention & control; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000077562:Valganciclovir; D015774:Ganciclovir