Treatment, Prevention and Control - Cytomegalovirus Infections

Treatment

Ganciclovir is the drug of choice for treatment of CMV. It is a nucleoside analog that inhibits DNA synthesis and also has activity against HSV, VZV, and human herpesviruses 7 and 8. Ganciclovir treatment is useful for gastrointestinal disease in patients who have received organ transplants and also those who are HIV positive. Ganciclovir has also been used as a prophylactic treatment of CMV disease in patients who have received transplants. This is given to all patients who have posi-tive finding on serology and also to those who show evidence of ongoing replication. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia are the major adverse effects associated with ganciclovir therapy. In addition, foscarnet is another drug, which has been used to treat the infection that is resistant to ganciclovir.

Prevention and Control

Sexual transmission of CMV can be prevented by following safe sexual practices, such as using condoms. Transmission of virus is also reduced by regular screening of blood and organ donors for CMV seronegativity. Prophylaxis with ganciclovir prevents reactivation of latent CMV infection in immunocompromised patients. No vaccine is available for CMV.