Ganciclovir Resistant Cytomegalovirus in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: An Update

Ganciclovir-resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an emerging problem in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Treatments such as foscarnet and cidofovir are fraught with serious side effects that may limit their use in this condition. The aim of this paper is to elucidate the mechanisms on how resistance occurs, when to suspect it clinically and what special tests are necessary to diagnose it. Based on recent literature, the paper also brings to light two medications, maribavir and leflunomide, which have been described to have anti-CMV activity. *Corresponding author: Pradeep V Kadambi, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301, University Blvd, 4.200 JSA, Galveston, TX 77555, USA, Tel: 1-409-772-1811; Fax: 1-409-772-5451; E-mail: [email protected] Received March 29, 2013; Accepted May 24, 2012; Published May 27, 2012 Citation: Takkar C, Gamilla-Crudo AK, Kadambi PV (2013) Ganciclovir Resistant Cytomegalovirus in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: An Update. J Transplant Technol Res S6: 001. doi:10.4172/2161-0991.S6-001 Copyright: © 2013 Takkar C, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.