Oral Valganciclovir versus Intravenous Ganciclovir as Preemptive Treatment for Cytomegalovirus Infection after Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A randomized Trial.
Togashi J, Sugawara Y, et al.Bioscience Trends, 5(5): 217-222, 2011.
Aims
To compare the efficacy of oral valganciclovir (VGCV) with intravenous ganciclovir (GCV) as preemptive treatment for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).
Interventions
Oral VGCV 900 mg per day versus intravenous GCV 5 mg/kg twice daily, All patients received tacrolimus and methylprednisolone.
Participants
22 patients who developed CMV infection within 6 months after LDLT.
Outcomes
The primary endpoint was the treatment success rate of CMV infection after LDLT. Secondary endpoints included recurrence rate of CMV infection within 1 year after LDLT, and the safety and tolerability of the treatment.
Follow-up
1 year
CET Conclusions
In this small study recipients of a live donor liver transplant who had developed CMV infection within 6 months of transplantation were randomised to receive intravenous ganciclovir or oral valganciclovir. Treatment success rates were comparable in both groups and the authors conclude that oral valganciclovir and intravenous ganciclovir are safe and feasible options for treating CMV infections after liver transplantation. The study is not sufficiently powered to draw that conclusion.
Data analysis
Strict intention-to-treat analysis
Trial registration
C000000295 (UMIN)