Treatment of cytomegalovirus infection

CMV infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the immune compromised host. Ganciclovir and phosphonoformate have in vitro and in vivo activity against human CMV, and controlled trials of both these drugs in immunocompromised patients have suggested their efficacy. However, drug toxicity, a high rate of relapse, and the high mortality of CMV pneumonia in marrow transplant patients are continued problems in the treatment of CMV infections.