Foscarnet treatment in various cytomegalovirus infections

We examined the effect of foscarnet (Foscavir) in 15 AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus infection. Cytomegalovirus infection was presented as retinits (n = 8), colitis (n = 3), oral (n = 1) and perianal ulcers (n = 3) and pneumonitis (n = 1). Induction therapy with foscarnet showed a complete response in 9 and a partial response in 6 patients after a medium therapy of 3.5 weeks. Three patients showed progressive disease under ganciclovir and were treated subsequently with foscarnet. Main side effects were ulcers of the glans penis (n = 6) and a rise of creatinine (> 1.5 mg/dl; n = 4). Therapy was changed to ganciclovir because of renal toxicity in 1 patient receiving induction therapy with foscarnet. Within a period of foscarnet therapy between 5 and 9 months (median: 7 months) no clinical progression occurred. Medium survival after diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection was 7.4 months. We describe our experience with foscarnet and compare treatment results of cytomegalovirus infection at certain locations.