How we treat cytomegalovirus in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients

Blood. 2009 Jun 4;113(23):5711-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-10-143560. Epub 2009 Mar 18.

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) continues to cause major complications after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Over the past decade, most centers have adopted preemptive antiviral treatment or prophylaxis strategies to prevent CMV disease. Both strategies are effective but also have shortcomings with presently available drugs. Here, we review aspects of CMV treatment and prevention in HCT recipients, including currently used drugs and diagnostics, ways to optimize preemptive therapy strategies with quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays, the use of prophylaxis, management of CMV disease caused by wild-type or drug-resistant strains, and future strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / blood
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Drug Resistance, Viral / drug effects
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents