Refractory/Resistant Cytomegalovirus Infection in Transplant Recipients: An Update

Abstract

Despite the significant progress made, CMV infection is one of the most frequent infectious complications in transplant recipients. CMV infections that become refractory or resistant (R/R) to the available antiviral drugs constitute a clinical challenge and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Novel anti-CMV therapies have been recently developed and introduced in clinical practice, which may improve the treatment of these infections. In this review, we summarize the treatment options for R/R CMV infections in adult hematopoietic cell transplant and solid organ transplant recipients, with a special focus on newly available antiviral agents with anti-CMV activity, including maribavir and letermovir.

Keywords

• cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• transplant recipients
• refractory infection
• resistant infection
• letermovir
• maribavir