Acyclovir and Ganciclovir in Cytomegalovirus

  1. Nina Singh, MD; and
  2. Victor L. Yu, MD

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    IN RESPONSE:

    Dr. Moss appears to have misinterpreted the study design [1]. Only the experimental group, not the acyclovir group, received short-course ganciclovir as prophylaxis for CMV infection (shedding). Thus, the study compared acyclovir with no prophylaxis in the treatment of CMV infection (shedding) and compared acyclovir with preemptive short-course (7 days) ganciclovir prophylaxis in treating CMV disease. The incidence of CMV infection did not differ between patients receiving acyclovir and those receiving no prophylaxis. Cytomegalovirus disease, however, occurred significantly less frequently in the group receiving preemptive ganciclovir prophylaxis for CMV shedding. Any patient (in either group) developing CMV disease (the ultimate study end point) was treated with ganciclovir for 14 to 21 days, the accepted therapy of choice.

    Nina Singh, MD

    Victor L. Yu, MD

    The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:

    •Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references

    •Type with double-spacing

    •Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.

    Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.

    Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.

    Reference

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