Treatment
Cytomegalovirus Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) (CMV-IGIV) is an immunoglobulin G (IgG) containing a standardized amount of antibody to Cytomegalovirus (CMV). It may be used for the prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus disease associated with transplantation of kidney, lung, liver, pancreas, and heart.
Alone or in combination with an antiviral agent, it has been shown to:
- Reduce the risk of CMV-related disease and death in some of the highest-risk transplant patients
- Provide a measurable long-term survival benefit
- Produce minimal treatment-related side effects and adverse events.
Ganciclovir (Cytovene) treatment is used for patients with depressed immunity who have either sight-related or life-threatening illnesses. Valganciclovir (Valcyte) is an antiviral drug that is also effective and is given orally. The therapeutic effectiveness is frequently compromised by the emergence of drug-resistant virus isolates. A variety of amino acid changes in the UL97 protein kinase and the viral DNA polymerase have been reported to cause drug resistance. Foscarnet or cidofovir are only given to patients with CMV resistant to ganciclovir, because foscarnet has notable nephrotoxicity, resulting in increased or decreased Ca2+ or P, and decreased Mg2+.
Read more about this topic: Human Cytomegalovirus
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