Valganciclovir in the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in HIV-infected patients

Long-term Efficacy of Oral Valganciclovir in Presumed Cytomegalovirus Unilateral Hypertensive Anterior Uveitis

PURPOSE

To describe long-term efficacy and safety of oral valganciclovir in the treatment of presumed cytomegalovirus (CMV) unilateral hypertensive anterior uveitis.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 40 patients (40 eyes).

RESULTS

All patients presented with high intraocular pressure (mean 39.35 ± 7.58 mmHg), associated with signs of mild anterior uveitis. Oral valganciclovir resulted in control of the intraocular pressures and inflammation in 35 eyes. At the dose of ≥450 mg twice daily, no relapses were documented. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 108 months (24.45 ± 14.56). At the final follow-up, the intraocular pressure was reduced to 14.92 ± 2.43 mmHg (<0.001). Drug-related complications in the form of leukopenia and azoospermia were reported in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral valganciclovir effectively and safely controls intraocular pressure and inflammation in presumed CMV anterior uveitis. A long-term treatment course seems necessary.

Clinical Insights: Antimicrobial Therapy for Infectious Uveitis

Infectious uveitis is a major global cause of vision impairment. Despite the eye's immune privilege, afforded by the blood-ocular barrier that restricts microbial entry, several pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can still infiltrate and cause ocular infections and complications. Clinicians often encounter significant challenges in treating infectious uveitis due to limited or ineffective treatment options. Modern molecular techniques and imaging can aid in diagnosing and assessing intraocular infections. Various antimicrobial therapies exist, spanning topical and systemic treatments, but these are constrained by issues like drug concentration, penetration, effective duration, toxicity, and side effects. Treatment approaches also differ based on the infection's etiology. This review provides recent updates on antimicrobial therapies from a clinical perspective, covering topical, systemic, and regional treatments for infectious uveitis.

Successful treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis with oral/intravitreal antivirals in HIV-negative patients with lymphoma

OBJECTIVES

To report patients with systemic lymphoma and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, treated with a combination of oral and intravitreal antiviral agents on an outpatient basis.

METHODS

Retrospective cases series. Information was gathered from the database of the Uveitis clinics at Moorfields Eye Hospital, United Kingdom from December 2014 to December 2018. The inclusion criteria comprised the diagnosis of systemic lymphoma, associated with a diagnosis of CMV retinitis. Exclusion criteria were alternative ocular diagnosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), primary intraocular lymphoma, or other causes of immunosuppression.

RESULTS

All seven subjects had been under oncologist care for systemic lymphoma. CMV retinitis presented with a median of 61 months after the systemic lymphoma diagnosis. Five patients underwent a vitreous biopsy, and four of them returned PCR positive for CMV and the fifth patient had PCR positive in a blood sample. All patients were treated with oral Valganciclovir, with an induction dose of 900 mg every 12 h for up to 3 weeks until disease resolution and a maintenance dose thereafter. All but one received additional intravitreal Foscarnet injections, with a dose of 2.4 mg /0.1 ml.

CONCLUSIONS

The management of patients with systemic lymphoma and CMV retinitis with oral and intravitreal antiviral agents, resulted in effective disease control.

Targeting nucleotide metabolism as the nexus of viral infections, cancer, and the immune response

Virus-infected cells and cancers share metabolic commonalities that stem from their insatiable need to replicate while evading the host immune system. These similarities include hijacking signaling mechanisms that induce metabolic rewiring in the host to up-regulate nucleotide metabolism and, in parallel, suppress the immune response. In both cancer and viral infections, the host immune cells and, specifically, lymphocytes augment nucleotide synthesis to support their own proliferation and effector functions. Consequently, established treatment modalities targeting nucleotide metabolism against cancers and virally infected cells may result in restricted immune response. Encouragingly, following the introduction of immunotherapy against cancers, multiple studies improved our understanding for improving antigen presentation to the immune system. We propose here that understanding the immune consequences of targeting nucleotide metabolism against cancers may be harnessed to optimize therapy against viral infections.

Filociclovir Is an Active Antiviral Agent against Ocular Adenovirus Isolates In Vitro and in the Ad5/NZW Rabbit Ocular Model

Presently, there is no FDA- or EMA-approved antiviral for the treatment of human adenovirus (HAdV) ocular infections. This study determined the antiviral activity of filociclovir (FCV) against ocular HAdV isolates in vitro and in the Ad5/NZW rabbit ocular model. The 50% effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of FCV and cidofovir (CDV) were determined for several ocular HAdV types using standard plaque reduction assays. Rabbits were topically inoculated in both eyes with HAdV5. On day 1, the rabbits were divided into four topical treatment groups: (1) 0.5% FCV 4x/day × 10 d; (2) 0.1% FCV 4x/day × 10 d; (3) 0.5% CDV 2x/day × 7 d; (4) vehicle 4x/day × 10 d. Eyes were cultured for virus on days 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 14. The resulting viral eye titers were determined using standard plaque assays. The mean in vitro EC₅₀ for FCV against tested HAdV types ranged from 0.50 to 4.68 µM, whereas those treated with CDV ranged from 0.49 to 30.3 µM. In vivo, compared to vehicle, 0.5% FCV, 0.1% FCV, and 0.5% CDV produced lower eye titers, fewer numbers of positive eye cultures, and shorter durations of eye infection. FCV demonstrated anti-adenovirus activity in vitro and in vivo.

Management of cytomegalovirus corneal endotheliitis

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can manifest as corneal endotheliitis in immunocompetent individuals. Early diagnosis is prudent to prevent endothelial cell loss, which could ultimately lead to corneal decompensation. CMV DNA was first detected in an eye with corneal endotheliitis in 2006; since then, clinical evidence from numerous case reports and case series have accumulated.

Main text

In this narrative review, we identified several drugs, including ganciclovir, valganciclovir, and their combination in oral, intravenous, intravitreal, and topical forms in different concentrations, together with the judicious use of topical steroids, have reported variable success. There has yet to be any prospective comparative study evaluating the efficacy and safety of these assorted forms of treatment; clinical evidence is based on case reports and case series. CMV endotheliitis presenting with corneal edema can masquerade as other corneal diseases and thus poses a great challenge especially in post-keratoplasty eyes. Heightened awareness is needed before and after keratoplasty to start prompt prophylaxis and treatment.

Conclusion

There is no consensus on the management of CMV endotheliitis. Further studies are much needed to elucidate the optimal treatment modality, regime, and duration in the treatment and prophylaxis of CMV endotheliitis.

Successful Management of Herpes Simplex Keratitis With Oral Valganciclovir in Patients Unresponsive or Allergic to Conventional Antiviral Therapy

PURPOSE

To describe 4 cases of presumably immunocompetent patients with herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis unresponsive (n = 3) or allergic (n = 1) to conventional antiviral therapy that improved with oral valganciclovir treatment.

METHODS

Retrospective case series of 4 patients with HSV keratitis treated with oral valganciclovir between March 2016 and June 2018.

RESULTS

We reviewed the records of 4 patients with recurrent epithelial HSV keratitis. Three patients were on antiviral prophylaxis because of a history of HSV keratitis. All patients were on oral acyclovir, valacyclovir, and/or famciclovir treatment with/without topical antiviral therapy for 4 to 6 months for prophylaxis and/or recurrent dendriform epithelial keratitis. While 3 patients had recurrent episodes during their active prophylaxis with oral antiviral therapies, one patient had a recurrence after she discontinued her oral prophylactic antiviral therapy due to recurrent self-reported allergic reactions. The patients presented with recurrent dendriform epithelial keratitis despite conventional antiviral therapy. We initiated oral valganciclovir 900 mg twice a day for 10 days as a treatment dose, followed by 900 mg daily for prophylaxis. The corneal epithelium subsequently healed within the first 2 weeks in all patients. The mean follow-up time for patients on valganciclovir prophylaxis was 8 months (range: 6-12 months), and none of the patients presented with any further recurrences.

CONCLUSIONS

In case of treatment-related side effects or failure with conventional antiviral therapies, oral valganciclovir may present an alternative for the treatment and prophylaxis of HSV keratitis.

Cytomegalovirus Disease of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract: A 10-Year Retrospective Study

Background and Aims

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The colon is the most commonly affected site, and the literature is scarce regarding CMV disease of the upper GI tract. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the clinical and endoscopic features of upper GI CMV disease.

Methods

This 10-year retrospective study included all patients with a histopathological diagnosis of upper GI CMV infection. Patients' clinical, endoscopic, therapy, and follow-up data were collected from medical records.

Results

Twelve patients with histopathologically proven upper GI CMV disease were identified (age 61 ± 18 years, 50% men). Most of the patients were immunocompromised (75%) due to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), malignancy, and/or immunosuppressive therapy. In the remainder (25%), the disease occurred in the absence of immunodeficiency and immunosuppression. Three patients (all with AIDS) presented with disseminated CMV infection. In the majority of the cases (83%), upper GI CMV disease was symptomatic, and the most common clinical presentations were odynophagia/dysphagia (25%) and nausea/vomiting (25%). Endoscopically, there were 5 cases of esophagitis (42%) and 7 cases of gastritis (58%). The lower esophagus (33%) and the gastric antrum (42%) were the most frequently affected GI sites. Regardless of the location, mucosal ulceration was the most common endoscopic finding (75%) and was associated with very deep ulceration resembling cavitation in 2 cases. Other endoscopic features were mucosal edema, hyperemia, and nodularity (25%). Eleven patients (92%) received antiviral treatment (duration 26 ± 12 days). The 1-month and 1-year mortality rates were 16.7 and 25%, respectively.

Conclusions

Upper GI CMV disease can occur in the absence of immunodeficiency and immunosuppression. It is usually symptomatic, and mucosal ulceration is often evident at endoscopy. It is associated with significant mortality; therefore, early diagnosis and adequate antiviral treatment are essential.

Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), the largest of the herpesviruses, causes a wide range of clinical syndromes, from asymptomatic infection to severe disease in immunocompromised hosts. Laboratory methods for diagnosis include molecular testing, antigenemia, culture, serology, and histopathology. Treatment of CMV infection and disease is indicated in selected immunocompromised hosts, and preventive approaches are indicated in high-risk groups. This chapter reviews the epidemiology, clinical aspects, and the laboratory diagnosis and management of CMV in immunocompromised hosts.

Long-term results of oral valganciclovir for treatment of anterior segment inflammation secondary to cytomegalovirus infection

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of oral valganciclovir in the treatment of anterior segment inflammation caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

Methods

Consecutive patients with anterior segment inflammation due to CMV causing anterior uveitis or corneal endotheliitis treated with oral valganciclovir were reviewed. Diagnosis of CMV infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction of the aqueous aspirate prior to commencement of oral valganciclovir. All patients were treated with an oral loading dose of 900 mg valganciclovir twice daily for at least 2 weeks, followed by an additional 450 mg valganciclovir twice-daily maintenance therapy. Changes in visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), use of antiglaucomatous eye drops, and recurrence were analyzed.

Results

Thirteen eyes of 11 patients were followed for a mean of 17.2 months. Two patients had bilateral corneal endotheliitis. All eyes had absence of anterior segment inflammation within 3 weeks after treatment. Following treatment, the mean logMAR visual acuity improved significantly from 0.58 at baseline to 0.37 at the last follow-up (P = 0.048). The mean IOP and number of antiglaucomatous eye drops also decreased significantly (P = 0.021 and P = 0.004, respectively). Five (38.5%) eyes had recurrence of anterior uveitis after valganciclovir was stopped and required retreatment with oral valganciclovir.

Conclusion

Oral valganciclovir appeared to be effective in controlling CMV anterior uveitis, resulting in visual improvement and IOP reduction following control of inflammation. However, despite the initial clinical response in all cases, recurrence after cessation of oral valganciclovir could occur.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis treated with valganciclovir in Wegener's granulomatosis

A case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in a patient with Wegener’s granulomatosis treated with oral valganciclovir as maintenance therapy is reported. A 68-year-old male patient with anti-proteinase-3 ANCA-positive Wegener’s granulomatosis who was receiving immunosuppressive therapy with methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide, and azathioprine developed CMV retinitis. The patient received intravenous ganciclovir as induction therapy and oral valganciclovir as maintenance therapy. The patient responded to treatment and showed no recurrence for 8 months. There were no serious adverse effects associated with oral valganciclovir. Oral valganciclovir is convenient and effective for the management of CMV retinitis in the patient with Wegener’s granulomatosis.