What is the treatment for cytomegalovirus disease?
The drug of choice for treatment of CMV disease is intravenous ganciclovir, although valganciclovir may be used for nonsevere CMV treatment in selected cases. Ganciclovir is a nucleoside analogue that inhibits DNA synthesis in the same manner as acyclovir.
How long does it take to get over CMV virus?
Most people recover in 4 to 6 weeks without medicine. Rest is needed, sometimes for a month or longer to regain full activity levels.
Can CMV virus be cured?
CMV spreads from person to person through body fluids, such as blood, saliva, urine, semen and breast milk. There is no cure, but there are medications that can help treat the symptoms.
Which of the following antiviral drug is used to treat cytomegalovirus infection?
There are currently four antiviral drugs licensed for the treatment of CMV infections: ganciclovir (GCV), valganciclovir (VGCV), foscarnet (FOS), and cidofovir (CDV).
Does acyclovir treat CMV?
Acyclovir therapy has proven an effective prophylaxis in reducing CMV infection in renal transplant recipients. However, acyclovir does not effectively treat active CMV disease. In AIDS patients, ganciclovir has proven more effective in treating CMV retinitis or colitis than acyclovir.
When do you treat CMV viremia?
In preemptive therapy, CMV viremia is monitored and treatment is initiated when CMV viremia reaches a specified threshold, most frequently before the patient becomes symptomatic. Prophylaxis is offered to patients during the period of highest risk of infection to prevent development of CMV viremia and disease.
What does CMV virus cause?
Occasionally, CMV can cause mononucleosis or hepatitis (liver problem). People with weakened immune systems who get CMV can have more serious symptoms affecting the eyes, lungs, liver, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Babies born with CMV can have brain, liver, spleen, lung, and growth problems.
How long is treatment for CMV?
Ganciclovir and Valganciclovir can also help combat immediate medical concerns caused by CMV, such as thrombocytopenia, organ failure (most commonly spleen and/or liver), hepatitis, and pneumonitis. Treatments generally last from 6 weeks to 6 months and are administered orally or through an IV or PICC line.
When can you stop cytomegalovirus treatment?
Quantitative CMV DNA level should be monitored as a marker of response, and treatment should be continued until 1 week after viral load is reduced to levels below detection [31].
Why is acyclovir not used in CMV?
Acyclovir has low activity against CMV because it is not well phosphorylated in CMV-infected cells. This is due to the absence of the gene for thymidine kinase (TK) in CMV.