Abstract
Described here is the unusual case of a previously healthy 17-month-old girl who developed severe cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease with prolonged fever and hepatitis. The severity of her illness required hospitalization and prompted antiviral treatment. Short-term intravenous ganciclovir treatment was associated with immediate and sustained resolution of the symptoms as well as a sharp decrease of CMV viremia. This observation suggests that antiviral therapy might be considered in select cases of severe primary CMV infection in immunocompetent children.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Stagno S, Cloud GA (1994) Working parents: the impact of day care and breast-feeding on cytomegalovirus infections in offspring. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91:2384–2389
Ballard RA, Drew WL, Hufnagle KG, Riedel PA (1979) Acquired cytomegalovirus infection in preterm infants. Am J Dis Child 133:482–485
Nigro G, Krzysztofiak A, Bartmann U, et al (1997) Ganciclovir therapy for cytomegalovirus-associated liver disease in immunocompetent or immunocompromised children. Arch Virol 142:573–580
Maschmann J, Hamprecht K, Dietz K, Jahn G, Speer CP (2001) Cytomegalovirus infection of extremely low-birth weight infants via breast milk. Clin Infect Dis 33:1998–2003
Tajiri H, Kozaiwa K, Tanaka-Taya K, et al (2001) Cytomegalovirus hepatitis confirmed by in situ hybridization in 3 immunocompetent infants. Scand J Infect Dis 33:790–793
Eddleston M, Peacock S, Juniper M, Warrell DA (1997) Severe cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompetent patients. Clin Infect Dis 24:52–56
Nigro G, Mattia S, Vitolo R, Bartmann U, Midulla M (1992) Hepatitis in pre-school children: prevalent role of cytomegalovirus. Arch Virol 4 (Suppl):268–272
Kimberlin DW, Lin CY, Sanchez PJ, Whitley RJ et al (2003) Effect of ganciclovir therapy on hearing in symptomatic congenital disease involving the central nervous system: a randomized, controlled trial. J Pediatr 143:16–25
Reynolds DW, Stagno S, Hosty TS, Tiller M, Alford CA Jr (1973) Maternal cytomegalovirus excretion and perinatal infection. N Engl J Med 289:1–5
Stagno S, Reynolds DW, Pass RF, Alford CA (1980) Breast milk and the risk of cytomegalovirus infection. N Engl J Med 302:1073–1076
Dworsky M, Yow M, Stagno S, Pass RF, Alford C (1983) Cytomegalovirus infection of breast milk and transmission in infancy. Pediatrics 72:295–299
Hayes K, Danks DM, Gibas H, Jack I (1972) Cytomegalovirus in human milk. N Engl J Med 287:177–178
Hamprecht K, Maschmann J, Vochem M, Dietz K, Speer CP, Jahn G (2001) Epidemiology of transmission of cytomegalovirus from mother to preterm infant by breastfeeding. Lancet 357:513–518
Pass RF, August AM, Dworsky M, Reynolds DW (1982) Cytomegalovirus infection in day-care center. N Engl J Med 307:477–479
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hadaya, K., Kaiser, L., Rubbia-Brandt, L. et al. Ganciclovir for Severe Cytomegalovirus Primary Infection in an Immunocompetent Child. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 23, 218–220 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-003-1079-z
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-003-1079-z