Treatment of cytomegalovirus pneumonitis with ganciclovir in renal transplantation

Ganciclovir, also called DHPG, was administered intravenously to eight renal transplant recipients with life-threatening cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis. One patient died of pulmonary failure; a favorable clinical response was observed in the seven others. In one patient, CMV pneumonitis recurred but responded well to a second course of the drug. At no time was the immunosuppressive regimen completely stopped in the seven surviving patients. Six of them maintained a good renal function 1–11 months after treatment with ganciclovir. No toxic effect was detected during therapy. We conclude that ganciclovir appears to be a promising and effective treatment for CMV pneumonitis after renal transplantation.