Human Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis and Treatment in Lung Transplantation in the Current Era

This article sumarizes recent findings in the pathophysiology of HCMV, especially its effects in lung transplant recipients; the current and new modalities for treatment and prevention of infection; and the latest guidelines for prevention and management of HCMV in lung transplant recipients.Recent FindingsRecent findings include moves towards standardization for monitoring and treating HCMV and approval of a new agent, letermovir, for prevention of HCMV reactivation in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients now in clinical trials for solid organ transplant recipients, and updates on the late stage development of maribavir. The newest innovations include promising vaccine candidates as well as adoptive cell-mediated immunity through the use of virus-specific cytotoxic T cells. Finally, assays evaluating HCMV immune function to aid in the evaluation of individual patient ’s ability to have a cell-mediated immune response to CMV are being developed.SummaryIn the past 15  years major advances in diagnosis, prevention, management and risk evaluation in patients with HCMV have occurred, and research continues, which will impact outcomes in the transplant population.

Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - February 21, 2020 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research