Real-life experience in two cases of secondary prophylaxis with letermovir for CMV infection in solid organ transplantation

Microbiol Spectr. 2023 Dec 12;11(6):e0163023. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.01630-23. Epub 2023 Oct 30.

Abstract

This observation provides comprehensive data on the clinical correlates of both cytomegalovirus (CMV) genotypic follow-up and clinical monitoring and outcomes for two different solid organ transplantation recipients that received letermovir as secondary prophylaxis. Our study emphasizes that monitoring of CMV disease in the patient and early genotypic detection of resistance mutations are essential when using new antiviral drugs for off-label indication in patients experiencing CMV relapses or not responding to standard antiviral therapy. These cases and the bibliography reviewed can be helpful for other researchers and clinicians working in the field to optimize the use of new treatments for transplant recipients since drug-resistant CMV infection is an important emerging problem even with new developments in antiviral treatment.

Keywords: antiviral; cytomegalovirus; letermovir; resistance mutation; secondary prophylaxis; transplant recipients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections* / drug therapy
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Organ Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Transplant Recipients

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • letermovir