Cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B genotypes and response to antiviral therapy, in solid-organ-transplant recipients with CMV disease

J Infect Dis. 2003 Aug 15;188(4):581-4. doi: 10.1086/377002. Epub 2003 Jul 29.

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can be classified into 4 glycoprotein B (gB) genotypes, on the basis of sequence variation in the UL55 gene. We assessed the effect that CMV gB genotype has on virologic and clinical response to therapy, in 50 solid-organ-transplant recipients with CMV disease. CMV loads were determined at regular intervals after the start of therapy. Genotype results were correlated with CMV-load kinetics in response to therapy with ganciclovir. At the onset of treatment, the distribution of CMV gB genotypes was as follows: gB1, 19/50 (38%); gB2, 9/50 (18%); gB3, 12/50 (24%); gB4, 2/50 (4%); and mixed-genotype infection, 8/50 (16%). Between viral genotype groups, time to clearance of CMV, failure to clear CMV, and calculated CMV-load half-life after the start of therapy were not significantly different. The CMV gB genotype did not affect the rate of disease recurrence or occurrence of tissue-invasive disease. It appears that the gB genotype, which causes CMV disease, does not significantly influence CMV-load kinetics or clinical response to therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cytomegalovirus / drug effects*
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology
  • Ganciclovir / pharmacology
  • Ganciclovir / therapeutic use
  • Recurrence
  • Transplantation*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein B, Simplexvirus
  • Ganciclovir