Work

Current and Emerging Antiviral Agents in the Prevention and Treatment of Cytomegalovirus in Pediatric Transplant Recipients

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Despite current prophylaxis regimens, cytomegalovirus (CMV) is common in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and solid organ transplantation (SOT) and remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Newer antiviral medications are reshaping the landscape for prevention and treatment of CMV DNAemia, infection, and disease. Letermovir is approved for CMV prevention in adult HCT patients and is attractive due to the absence of marrow suppression seen with ganciclovir/valganciclovir. Letermovir should not be routinely used for CMV treatment due to its low threshold for resistance. Maribavir is approved for the treatment of refractory or resistant CMV disease in HCT and SOT recipients ≥12 years of age, though it has no current role in CMV prevention. More research is needed to fully elucidate the roles, efficacy, and safety of these newer agents in prevention and treatment of CMV in pediatric transplant recipients.

Source: Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piad059

Authors: Kristen G Valencia Deray, Lara A Danziger-Isakov, Kevin J Downes

Institutions: Baylor College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development