Science and Research

CMV Immunoglobulins for the Treatment of CMV Infections in Thoracic Transplant Recipients

Intravenous ganciclovir and, increasingly, oral valganciclovir are now considered the mainstay of treatment for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection or CMV disease. Under certain circumstances, CMV immunoglobulin (CMVIG) may be an appropriate addition or, indeed, alternative. Data on monotherapy with CMVIG are limited, but encouraging, for example in cases of ganciclovir intolerance. In cases of recurrent CMV in thoracic transplant patients after a disease- and drug-free period, adjunctive CMVIG can be considered in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. Antiviral-resistant CMV, which is more common among thoracic organ recipients than in other types of transplant, can be an indication for introduction of CMVIG, particularly in view of the toxicity associated with other options, such as foscarnet. Due to a lack of controlled trials, decision-making is based on clinical experience. In the absence of a robust evidence base, it seems reasonable to consider the use of CMVIG to treat CMV in adult or pediatric thoracic transplant patients with ganciclovir-resistant infection, or in serious or complicated cases. The latter can potentially include (i) treatment of severe clinical manifestations, such as pneumonitis or eye complications; (ii) patients with a positive biopsy in end organs, such as the lung or stomach; (iii) symptomatic cases with rising polymerase chain reaction values (for example, higher than 5.0 log10) despite antiviral treatment; (iv) CMV disease or CMV infection or risk factors, such as CMV-IgG-negative serostatus; (vi) ganciclovir intolerance; (vii) patients with hypogammaglobulinemia.

  • Schulz, U.; Solidoro, P.; Muller, V.; Szabo, A.; Gottlieb, J.; Wilkens, H.; Enseleit, F.

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Agammaglobulinemia/immunology
  • Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage
  • Cytomegalovirus/drug effects/*immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections/diagnosis/epidemiology/immunology/*prevention &
  • control
  • Drug Resistance, Viral
  • Female
  • Heart Transplantation/*adverse effects
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunoglobulins/*administration & dosage/adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects
  • Lung Transplantation/*adverse effects
  • Opportunistic Infections/diagnosis/epidemiology/immunology/*prevention & control
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Virus Activation
Publication details
DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000001097
Journal: Transplantation
Pages: S5-10 
Work Type: Review
Location: BREATH
Disease Area: ROR
Partner / Member: MHH
Access-Number: 26900992
See publication on PubMed

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