title: Anti-viral therapy for congenital cytomegalovirus infection: pharmacokinetics, efficacy and side effects.
abstract: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common congenital infection in the world with approximately 0.5-2% of all live born infants, and can cause early or late severe neurological and neurisensorial damage. Although no drug has been licensed for therapy of congenital CMV infection, ganciclovir (GCV) and its oral pro-drug, valganciclovir (val-GCV), is increasingly being administrated to symptomatic infants, to improve neurodevelopmental and auditory outcome. Other potentially efficacious for therapy of congenital CMV disease are foscarnet and cidofovir, which have only been administered in few cases. A literature search was performed to look for evidence based or scientific articles evaluating pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and side effects of GCV/val-GCVand the other two anti-viral drugs.
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Unit and School, University of L'Aquila, San Salvatore Hospital , L'Aquila , Italy.
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mareri
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Unit and School, University of L'Aquila, San Salvatore Hospital , L'Aquila , Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lasorella
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Unit and School, University of L'Aquila, San Salvatore Hospital , L'Aquila , Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iapadre
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Unit and School, University of L'Aquila, San Salvatore Hospital , L'Aquila , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maresca
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Unit and School, University of L'Aquila, San Salvatore Hospital , L'Aquila , Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tambucci
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Unit and School, University of L'Aquila, San Salvatore Hospital , L'Aquila , Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nigro
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077404:Cidofovir; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000151:congenital / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017245:Foscarnet / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D063065:Organophosphonates; D017245:Foscarnet; D003596:Cytosine; D000077404:Cidofovir; D015774:Ganciclovir
keywords: Anti-viral therapy; cidofovir; congenital cytomegalovirus infection; foscarnet; ganciclovir; valganciclovir