Antiviral medications for preventing cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in solid organ transplant recipients has resulted in the frequent use of prophylaxis to prevent the clinical syndrome associated with CMV infection. This is an update of a review first published in 2005 and updated in 2008 and 2013. OBJECTIVES: To determine the benefits and harms of antiviral medications to prevent CMV disease and all-cause death in solid organ transplant recipients. SEARCH METHODS: We contacted the information specialist and searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 5 February 2024 using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) Search Portal, and ClinicalTrials.gov. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs comparing antiviral medications with placebo or no treatment, comparing different antiviral medications or different regimens of the same antiviral medications for CMV prophylaxis in recipients of any solid organ transplant. Studies examining pre-emptive therapy for CMV infection are studied in a separate review and were excluded from this review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed study eligibility, risk of bias and extracted data. Summary estimates of effect were obtained using a random-effects model, and results were expressed as risk ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference (MD) and 95% CI for continuous outcomes. Confidence in the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. MAIN RESULTS: This 2024 update found four new studies, bringing the total number of included studies to 41 (5054 participants). The risk of bias was high or unclear across most studies, with a low risk of bias for sequence generation (12), allocation concealment (12), blinding (11) and selective outcome reporting (9) in fewer studies. There is high-certainty evidence that prophylaxis with aciclovir, ganciclovir or valaciclovir compared with placebo or no treatment is more effective in preventing CMV disease (19 studies: RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.52), all-cause death (17 studies: RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.92), and CMV infection (17 studies: RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.77). There is moderate-certainty evidence that prophylaxis probably reduces death from CMV disease (7 studies: RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.78). Prophylaxis reduces the risk of herpes simplex and herpes zoster disease, bacterial and protozoal infections but probably makes little to no difference to fungal infection, acute rejection or graft loss. No apparent differences in adverse events with aciclovir, ganciclovir or valaciclovir compared with placebo or no treatment were found. There is high certainty evidence that ganciclovir, when compared with aciclovir, is more effective in preventing CMV disease (7 studies: RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.60). There may be little to no difference in any outcome between valganciclovir and IV ganciclovir compared with oral ganciclovir (low certainty evidence). The efficacy and adverse effects of valganciclovir or ganciclovir were probably no different to valaciclovir in three studies (moderate certainty evidence). There is moderate certainty evidence that extended duration prophylaxis probably reduces the risk of CMV disease compared with three months of therapy (2 studies: RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.35), with probably little to no difference in rates of adverse events. Low certainty evidence suggests that 450 mg/day valganciclovir compared with 900 mg/day valganciclovir results in little to no difference in all-cause death, CMV infection, acute rejection, and graft loss (no information on adverse events). Maribavir may increase CMV infection compared with ganciclovir (1 study: RR 1.34, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.65; moderate certainty evidence); however, little to no difference between the two treatments were found for CMV disease, all-cause death, acute rejection, and adverse events at six months (low certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Prophylaxis with antiviral medications reduces CMV disease and CMV-associated death, compared with placebo or no treatment, in solid organ transplant recipients. These data support the continued routine use of antiviral prophylaxis in CMV-positive recipients and CMV-negative recipients of CMV-positive organ transplants.

[Clinical features of acyclovir encephalopathy without acute kidney injury].

INTRODUCTION: Few reports have described acyclovir (ACV) encephalopathy without acute kidney injury (AKI). OBJECTIVE: This study clarified the clinical features of ACV encephalopathy without AKI compared to that with AKI. METHODS: Creatinine (Cre) levels were measured on admission. After admission, Cre was measured in a timely manner for the first seven hospital days. The minimum Cre level in these measurements was then determined. ACV encephalopathy was defined when two criteria were met: 1) neurological symptoms appeared after valacyclovir (VACV) administration, and 2) neurological symptoms improved after VACV discontinuation. AKI was defined when the Cre level on admission was >1.5 times higher than the minimum Cre level. The subjects were divided into AKI and non-AKI groups based on these findings. RESULTS: Eighteen patients had ACV encephalopathy (5 males, mean age 81.3±5.5 years old). All patients were prescribed VACV 3,000 mg/day. The minimum Cre was 1.93±1.76 mg/dL. AKI occurred in 10 (56.6%) patients. VACV was discontinued in all patients, and emergency hemodialysis treatment was administered in 10 (55.6%) patients. All patients recovered. Compared to the AKI group, the non-AKI group had a lower history of taking a Ca-blocker (33.3% vs 80.0%, p=0.092), a lower rate of emergency dialysis (16.9% vs 70.0%, p=0.059) and a longer time to clinical improvement (3.67±1.86 vs 2.20±0.63 days, p=0.073). CONCLUSION: ACV encephalopathy without AKI is characterized by a low rate of emergency dialysis, which may be linked to a prolonged duration of symptoms.

Valacyclovir or valganciclovir for cytomegalovirus prophylaxis: A randomized controlled trial in adult and pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Valganciclovir (valG), a cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylactic agent, has dose-limiting side effects. The tolerability and effectiveness of valacyclovir (valA) as CMV prophylaxis is unknown. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, open-label, single-center trial of valA versus valG for all posttransplant CMV prophylaxis in adult and pediatric kidney recipients. Participants were randomly assigned to receive valA or valG. Primary endpoints were the incidence of CMV viremia and side-effect related drug reduction with secondary assessment of incidence of EBV viremia. RESULTS: Of the 137 sequential kidney transplant recipients enrolled, 26 % were positive and negative for CMV antibody in donor and recipient respectively. The incidence of CMV viremia (4 of 71 [6 %]; 8 of 67 [12 %] P = 0.23), time to viremia (P = 0.16) and area under CMV viral load time curve (P = 0.19) were not significantly different. ValG participants were significantly more likely to require side-effect related dose reduction (15/71 [21 %] versus 1/66 [2 %] P = 0.0003). Leukopenia was the most common reason for valG dose reduction and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was utilized for leukopenia recovery more frequently (25 % in valG vs 5 % in valA: P = 0.0007). Incidence of EBV viremia was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: ValA has significantly less dose-limiting side effects than valG. In our study population, a significant increase in CMV viremia was not observed, in adults and children after kidney transplant, compared to valG. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01329185.

Acyclovir dosing in herpes encephalitis: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Herpes encephalitis, a rare yet potentially fatal viral infection, is treated exclusively with acyclovir, the sole antiviral medication used for this condition. Acyclovir recommended dose is 10 mg/kg/dose intravenous every 8 hours; however, it is unclear what body weight should be utilized in obese patients. Using the ideal body weight may result in subtherapeutic ineffective concentrations, while utilizing the actual body weight might result in acyclovir induced adverse effects, either nephrotoxicity or neurotoxicity or both. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this scoping review is to explore existing evidence regarding acyclovir dosing for obese patients afflicted with herpes encephalitis. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases were searched on 26 May 2023, with no language restrictions. Two independent reviewers utilized the Covidence software to carry out the screening and selection of the articles. A total of 22 articles were included in the current review. RESULTS: The prevalence of acyclovir-associated nephrotoxicity ranged from 13% to 21%, while the prevalence of neurotoxicity was not clearly defined. However, there is lack of evidence regarding what may arise from subtherapeutic concentrations. An approach has been suggested to help clinicians to give the most appropriate acyclovir dose to herpes encephalitis patients. Patients with normal kidney function could receive the normal doses based on actual weight if normal weight and based on adjusted body weight if obese. On the other hand, if the patients are experiencing augmented renal clearance, they could receive up to the maximum recommended doses. CONCLUSION: Overall, there is a lack of consistency on which body weight to use to calculate acyclovir dose in obese patients. So it is recommended that further studies compare the concentration of intravenous acyclovir between obese and nonobese patients and relating the resultant concentration with patient outcomes.

Acyclovir-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Adults with Viral Encephalitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of parenteral Acyclovir-induced Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in patients with viral encephalitis. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Neurology, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, from January to December 2021. METHODOLOGY: A total of 89 suspected and proven cases of encephalitis receiving IV Acyclovir were collated. All had extensive medical histories and underwent CSF studies with +/- brain imaging. CSF routine and viral PCR were done. Acyclovir-induced AKI was defined as a rise in serum creatinine of >0.3 mg/dl in 48 h or by ≥1.5 times the baseline value, and its severity was staged into 1 (risk), 2 (injury), and 3 (failure) according to the KDIGO guidelines (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Acute Kidney Injury Work Group, 2012). Patients' variables, including age, gender, presenting features, comorbid conditions, and CSF findings, were divided into two groups, i.e. with and without AKI. RESULTS: This research included 89 patients with a mean age of 48 years. AKI occurred in 34 patients (38.2%). The frequency of AKI with Stage 1 was 24%, Stage 2 was 44%, and Stage 3 was 32%; approximately two-thirds of cases were in Stage 2 and 3 (p >0.05). Five patients (5.6%) from Stage 3, required dialysis. CONCLUSION: AKI is an important adverse effect of parenteral acyclovir, which necessitates its early identification and timely management. Renal function monitoring is essential for patients on Acyclovir treatment as they are at risk for AKI. KEY WORDS: Acyclovir, Acute kidney injury, Viral encephalitis, Creatinine, Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes.

Signal mining study of severe cutaneous adverse events of valaciclovir or acyclovir based on the FAERS database.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore a comprehensive empirical investigation and assess SCARs related to valaciclovir or acyclovir based on FAERS database from FDA, thus providing a theoretical foundation for the rational application of drugs in clinic. METHODS: SCARs reports relevant to valaciclovir or acyclovir were searched in FAERS database from the 2004 Q1 to 2023 Q2. These data were further mined by a proportional analysis and Bayesian approach to detect signals of SCARs caused by two drugs. Meanwhile, the clinical characteristics, onset time, correlation, and stratification analysis of the two drugs in SCARs were analyzed. RESULTS: Both drugs exhibited positive signals for drug reaction with DRESS, AGEP, TEN, SJS-TEN overlap and SJS. The median onset time of SCARs caused by valaciclovir or acyclovir was 30 days vs 10 day for DRESS, 11 days vs 9 days for AGEP, 17 days vs 12 days (TEN) and 12 days vs 8 days (SJS). Excluding the effect of combinational drugs, there was an association between the two antiviral drugs and SCARs. CONCLUSION: By analyzing the FAERS database, the risk trends of SCARs caused by valaciclovir or acyclovir have been identified, providing valuable insights to recognize various types of SCARs in clinics.

A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Antiviral Agents for Immunocompetent Patients with Herpes Zoster-Associated Pain.

BACKGROUND: The most refractory symptom of herpes zoster (HZ) is pain. Approximately 90% of people who have HZ suffer from pain. Early use of antiviral medications has been found to reduce pain across all stages of the disease. Although many antiviral agents via oral or intravenous administration were recommended by clinical practice, the best approach to prevent HZ-associated pain remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and adverse events of various antiviral agents used for the treatment of HZ-associated pain through a network meta-analysis. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING: The Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and PubMed were searched from inception to Feb 2020. METHODS: Randomized clinical trials evaluating antiviral agents currently available for treating HZ-associated pain were included. We extracted data in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and conducted network meta-analyses with random-effects models. The primary outcome was the presence of acute pain at the end of anti-virus treatment, and the secondary outcomes included the presence of pain at 28-30 days after the onset of the acute herpetic rash, the presence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and any other adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 17 randomized control trials with 5,579 participants were included in this study. According to the results of the network meta-analysis, for the treatment of acute pain, there was no significant difference between oral acyclovir and intravenous acyclovir. Furthermore, oral famciclovir was the most effective treatment concerning both the odds ratio (OR) (superior to placebo OR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.13~0.48) and the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values of 0.84 for the treatment of acute pain among all the oral antiviral agents. For the presence of pain at 28-30 days, no significant difference was observed in efficacy between all antiviral treatments and placebo concerning the OR; however, oral valaciclovir ranked first (SUCRA values of 0.96). For the presence of NPH, oral famciclovir was determined to be the most effective (SUCRA values of 0.77) treatment with an efficacy of 0.42 (95% CI: 0.18~0.99) versus placebo. For adverse events, there was no significant difference between oral antivirals and placebo; however, intravenous acyclovir ranked last with a score of OR 4.31 (95% CI: 1.26~14.75) versus placebo. LIMITATIONS: The distribution of severity of pain was different in various studies; then, the lack of availability of individual data prevented us from analyzing the effects of the risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: For the treatment of acute pain and PHN, oral famciclovir was the most effective treatment among all the oral antiviral agents. For alleviating pain after 28-30 days, oral valaciclovir appeared to be the most effective among all antiviral agents. Additionally, all oral antiviral agents were well tolerated. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: PROSPERO under the identification CRD42020212834.

A decreasing plasma concentration of a toxicologically active metabolite 9-carboxymethoxymethylguanine after dialysis - A potential new clinical biomarker for improving encephalopathy in patients treated with acyclovir.

Although acyclovir is a key drug for the treatment of herpes infections, a consciousness disorder known as "acyclovir encephalopathy" is among its side effects. We encountered a patient with encephalopathy and measured the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of acyclovir and its toxicologically active metabolite 9-carboxymethoxymethylguanine (CMMG). Before dialysis, cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of acyclovir and CMMG in this patient with a consciousness disorder were approximately 10% and 1%, respectively, of their plasma concentrations. After 3 days of dialysis, plasma CMMG levels decreased to detectable but below quantitative levels (<0.1 µg/mL), resulting in normal consciousness. These results suggest that decreasing plasma CMMG concentration could be one of clinical biomarkers for improving consciousness in patients with encephalopathy associated with acyclovir.

Comparison of dosing strategies in obese patients prescribed intravenous acyclovir and evaluation of rate of acute kidney injury.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited guidance on the most appropriate dosing strategy for intravenous (IV) acyclovir in obese patients. The manufacturer's labelling suggests using ideal body weight (IBW); however, previous pharmacokinetic studies of obese patients have shown more rapid systemic clearance and lower area under the curve and peak concentrations compared with patients with a body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2. Although pharmacokinetic data suggest that plasma concentrations of acyclovir are best predicted when using adjusted body weight (AdjBW) doses, there is concern about higher rates of acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort review of adult patients with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 prescribed IV acyclovir ≥ 48 hours between 1 January 2014 and 31 August 2021 at a 511-bed academic medical centre. The primary objective was to compare AdjBW with IBW dosing in obese patients who had been prescribed IV acyclovir and to determine whether AdjBW dosing results in higher rates of AKI. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were included: 61 were in the IBW cohort and 33 were in the AdjBW cohort. The median BMI [IQR] for all patients was 34.7 kg/m2 [31.8-40.6]. Patients in the AdjBW cohort received a significantly higher median acyclovir dose of 800 mg/dose [IQR 700-850] compared with 600 mg/dose [IQR 500-700] for the IBW cohort (P ≤ 0.0001). No patients dosed using AdjBW developed AKI compared with eight (13.1%) in the IBW group. CONCLUSION: In this study, 8.5% of all obese patients receiving acyclovir developed AKI. Further studies are needed to confirm dosing recommendations.

Aciclovir-induced neurotoxicity.

Aciclovir-induced neurotoxicity results from the accumulation of aciclovir and its metabolite 9-carboxymethoxymethylguanine (CMMG). It occurs predominantly in older patients with impaired renal function and is characterised by a combination of confusion and psychiatric changes. Seizures, myoclonus and dysarthria may also occur. Critically, peritoneal dialysis has little effect on reversing the toxic effects of aciclovir. We describe a woman in her 70s with renal failure who developed confusion and seizures after receiving aciclovir. She was ultimately diagnosed with aciclovir-induced neurotoxicity, confirmed by an elevated serum CMMG concentration. This condition is likely to be underdiagnosed and the neurologist's primary challenge is differentiating aciclovir-induced neurotoxicity from viral encephalitis.

A drug-drug interaction study with letermovir and acyclovir in healthy participants.

Letermovir inhibits renal tubular organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3) in vitro and is predicted to inhibit OAT3 in vivo. Acyclovir, a substrate for OAT3, is likely to be coadministered with letermovir; therefore, letermovir may increase acyclovir concentrations. A drug-drug interaction study was conducted in healthy participants (N = 16) to assess the effect of letermovir on acyclovir pharmacokinetics. On Day 1, participants received a single oral dose of 400 mg acyclovir; on Days 2-7, participants received oral doses of 480 mg letermovir once daily with a single oral dose of 400 mg acyclovir coadministered on Day 7. Coadministration with letermovir resulted in geometric mean ratios (90% confidence intervals) for acyclovir area under the concentration-time curve from administration to infinity and maximum plasma concentration of 1.02 (0.87-1.20) and 0.82 (0.71-0.93), respectively. No notable safety issues were reported. No clinically significant interaction was observed between letermovir and acyclovir in healthy participants and no dose adjustment is required for coadministration.

Detection of drug safety signal of drug-induced neutropenia and agranulocytosis in all-aged patients using electronic medical records.

PURPOSE: We explored the adverse drug reaction signals of drug-induced neutropenia (DIN) and drug-induced agranulocytosis (DIA) in hospitalized patients and evaluated the novelty of these correlations. METHOD: A two-step method was established to identify the relationship between drugs and DIN or DIA using 5-year electronic medical records (EMRs) obtained from 242 000 patients at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. First, the drugs suspected to induce DIN or DIA were selected. The associations between suspected drugs and DIN or DIA were evaluated by a retrospective cohort study using unconditional logistic regression analysis and multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: Twelve suspected drugs (vancomycin, meropenem, voriconazole, acyclovir, ganciclovir, fluconazole, oseltamivir, linezolid, compound borax solution, palonosetron, polyene phosphatidylcholine, and sulfamethoxazole) were associated with DIN, and six suspected drugs (vancomycin, voriconazole, acyclovir, ganciclovir, fluconazole, and oseltamivir) were associated with DIA. The multivariate linear regression model revealed that nine drugs (vancomycin, meropenem, voriconazole, ganciclovir, fluconazole, oseltamivir, compound borax solution, palonosetron, and polyene phosphatidylcholine) and four drugs (vancomycin, voriconazole, ganciclovir, and fluconazole) were found to be associated with DIN and DIA, respectively. While logistic regression analysis revealed that palonosetron and ganciclovir were associated with DIN and DIA, respectively. CONCLUSION: Palonosetron and ganciclovir were found to be correlated with drug-induced granulocytopenia. The results of this study provide an early warning of drug safety signals for drug-induced granulocytopenia, facilitating a quick and appropriate response for clinicians.

Bilateral Severe Herpes Simplex Endotheliitis with a Possible Association with Latanoprost.

PURPOSE: To report bilateral Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) keratitis in a patient on latanoprost for primi]k=8ary open angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 76-year-old healthy male on latanoprost monotherapy for POAG polresented with sudden bilateral decreased vision. Examination showed bilateral dense corneal edema with loose epithelium. Aqueous fluid was positive for HSV-1 DNA on polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Latanoprost was discontinued, topical prednisolone acetate 1% eye, acyclovir 400 mg 5 times a day and combination of dorzolamide hydrochloride 2% and timolol maleate 0.5% twice daily were prescribed. The vision rapidly improved to 20/25 along with complete resolution of corneal edema within four weeks, with no recurrences over the next one year. CONCLUSION: Bilateral simultaneous HSV endotheliitis is a rare condition and positive PCR test can help rule in the diagnosis. HSV keratitis is a known adverse event with Latanoprost use and can present atypically.

Antiviral treatment in outpatients with herps zoster in six major areas of China, 2010-2019.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the status and trends of antiviral treatment in outpatients with herpes zoster in China. Methods: Prescription data on antiviral drugs were extracted from the database of the Hospital Prescription Analysis Program of China according to the inclusion criteria. Yearly prescriptions and costs were calculated, and trends were analyzed. The trends were further stratified by age, sex, and specific drug use. The distribution of defined daily costs (DDCs) of valaciclovir and famciclovir were analyzed, and trends in the median DDCs were identified. Results: A total of 132,911 prescriptions from 49 hospitals located in six major areas of China were included in the analysis. The yearly prescriptions containing antivirals increased from 8,819 in 2010 to 16,361 in 2019. The percentage of prescriptions for patients aged 65 years and above also increased (27.7% in 2010 to 31.0% in 2019), and the number of prescriptions for females was higher than those for males (P < 0.001). The average cost of antivirals per prescription decreased; thus, the yearly cost showed no increasing trend. The main prescribed antivirals were valaciclovir and famciclovir, which progressively increased in prescriptions. The use of acyclovir decreased during the study period. Prescriptions containing topical formulations, acyclovir and penciclovir, both increased. The DDCs of valaciclovir and famciclovir decreased dramatically. Conclusion: The use of antivirals has increased over the decade, while the cost has not. Antiviral treatments adhere well to recent recommendations, except for the use of topical antivirals. The findings of this study may benefit the healthcare source allocation and management of herpes zoster in China.

Beware the Unexpected Infection: Disseminated Varicella Zoster Virus Mimicking A Drug Eruption.

Adverse cutaneous reactions to medications are not uncommon and may resemble viral infection and vice versa, complicating diagnosis. We describe the case of a 79-year-old male with cholangiocarcinoma with liver and presumed lung metastasis who presented with abdominal pain and was admitted with ileitis with partial small bowel obstruction. He had a widespread papulovesicular rash with hemorrhagic center, mostly on his face, chest, and back. The rash was initially thought to be a drug eruption, but was eventually diagnosed via dermatopathological examination as disseminated varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. Steroid treatment was discontinued, and airborne precautions were initiated. Polymerase chain reaction for VZV was obtained and intravenous acyclovir treatment was begun. This case of VZV, initially suspected to be an adverse drug reaction, highlights the importance of early identification of a highly infectious lesion and the importance of early infection control measures, given the implications of exposure to VZV for health care personnel.

[A Pharmacist's Query Avoiding Exacerbation of Adverse Effects in a Patient with Acyclovir Encephalopathy: A Case Report].

We report a haemodialysis patient with end-stage renal failure whom a pharmacist aided in the management of acyclovir (ACV) encephalopathy, which may have been related to valacyclovir hydrochloride (VACV) administered without sufficient dose reduction. The patient 78 years was admitted with a tentative diagnosis of varicella zoster viral meningitis. A pharmacist suspected ACV encephalopathy related to excessive VACV administration and raised a query with the attending physician. According to the pharmacist's proposal, ACV administration was discontinued and continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) was performed. On day 5 of hospitalisation, the consciousness disorder was improved. In this report, we showed the detailed CHDF conditions of the present case, and the contribution of a pharmacist to treating and avoiding ACV encephalopathy was discussed.

Biomarker Determinants of Early Anthracycline-Induced Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality amongst women. One of the most common chemotherapeutic agents used to treat breast cancer, anthracyclines, are associated with anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (ACIC). The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the predictive performance of biomarkers for early ACIC presentation in the breast cancer population. METHODS: Five databases were searched from inception to 1 January, 2022. Studies reporting the association between worsening left ventricular ejection fraction and biomarker level change were included. Overall, study heterogeneity varied between I2 0 and 78%. The primary outcome was incident left ventricular dysfunction, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction < 50-55% or a 10%-point decrease, in patients with breast cancer with congruent ≥ doubling of biomarker serology levels (growth differentiation factor 15, Galectin-3, pro B-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, placental growth factor, myeloperoxidase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, Fms-Related Tyrosine Kinase 1), 3 months after anthracycline exposure, relative to pre-anthracycline exposure levels, expressed as random effects, hazard ratios. The STRING protein interaction database was explored for experimentally validated biomarker interactions. RESULTS: Of 1458 records screened, four observational studies involving 1167 patients, with a low risk of bias, were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Doubling of growth differentiation factor 15 and Galectin-3 levels was associated with an increased risk of early ACIC, hazard ratio 3.74 (95% confidence interval 2.68-5.24) and hazard ratio 4.25 (95% confidence interval 3.1-5.18), respectively. Biomarker interactome analysis identified two putative ACIC biomarkers, neuropilin-1 and complement factor H. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first meta-analysis quantifying the association of biomarkers and early ACIC presentation in the breast cancer population. This may be of clinical relevance in the timely identification of patients at high risk of ACIC, allowing for closer monitoring and chemotherapy adjustments.

Exposure-safety relationship for acyclovir in the treatment of neonatal herpes simplex virus disease.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) disease has been treated with high-dose (20 mg/kg/dose) acyclovir since 1991. AIMS: Determine the safety of acyclovir in infants with neonatal HSV treated with high-dose acyclovir; examine the association between acyclovir dose and exposure with adverse events (AEs). STUDY DESIGN: We obtained demographic information and acyclovir dosing via medical records. Acyclovir exposure was calculated using an established pharmacokinetic model. SUBJECTS: Infants <120 days of age with neonatal HSV discharged from four academic children's hospitals. OUTCOME MEASURES: We identified clinical and laboratory adverse events (AEs). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified 49 infants with neonatal HSV treated with acyclovir; 42 infants had complete 21-day dosing information. Median mean daily dose was 59 mg/kg/day. Clinical AEs were common among all gestational and postnatal age groups. Rash was the most common clinical AE (37 %). Mild laboratory AEs occurred in 2-37 % of infants. The median maximum doses (mg/kg/day) were higher among infants with hypokalemia, elevated blood urea nitrogen, and thrombocytosis. For all other laboratory AEs, the median maximum doses for infants without events were higher or equal to the median maximum dose of infants with the AE. The odds of experiencing any clinical or laboratory AE did not differ by predicted acyclovir exposure for either area under the curve (AUC) or maximum concentration (Cmax) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.00 [0.98, 1.03] and OR = 1.01 [0.93, 1.12], respectively). Although AEs were common with high-dose acyclovir exposure, severe AEs were rare. Acyclovir exposure was not associated with AEs.

Herpes zoster prophylaxis with low-dose acyclovir in patients with malignant lymphoma and multiple myeloma treated with autologous stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a frequent complication after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The option of zoster prophylaxis with an antiviral drug is described in the literature, but there is no consensus on the drug and the dosage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the records of 310 patients treated with ASCT who were controlled regularly regarding HZ inter alia for at least 24 months following ASCT. Since 01/2015 patients received prophylactic low-dose acyclovir (400 mg per day) during the first 12 months following discharge after ASCT (n = 107). RESULTS: Twenty percent of patients without this kind of prophylaxis and 2.8% of patients with prophylaxis developed HZ (p < .001). No patient with this prophylaxis developed HZ in the first year after ASCT, 2.8% of patients in the second year after ASCT. A prognostic factor was the kind of diagnosis: 30% of lymphoma patients and 14% of myeloma patients developed HZ in the first 24 months after ASCT without prophylaxis, but only 6.3% and 0% of patients with prophylaxis, respectively. Neither an increase of HZ cases following prophylaxis nor acyclovir refractory HZ cases were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Zoster prophylaxis with low-dose acyclovir over 12 months after ASCT is effective and well tolerated.

[Treatment with Intravenous Acyclovir Desensitization for Severe Acyclovir Allergy: A Case of Herpes Encephalitis]. / Ciddi Asiklovir Alerjisinde Intravenöz Asiklovir Desensitizasyon Tedavisi: Herpes Ensefaliti Olgusu.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a sporadic viral encephalitis agent that causes high mortality and morbidity, accompanied by neurological dysfunction findings. Acyclovir is the only antiviral treatment option that should be initiated in all patients with suspected encephalitis as soon as possible. Acyclovir is rarely possible to cause allergic reactions. It may occur in a wide range from generalized cutaneous rash to Stevens-Johnson syndrome. A case of HSV-1 encephalitis who had no treatment option other than intravenous acyclovir and was successfully treated with intravenous desensitization was presented in this report. A 59-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department with complaints of high fever and altered consciousness. Diagnostic lumbar puncture was performed and intravenous acyclovir treatment was initiated empirically with the preliminary diagnosis of encephalitis. On the third day of the treatment, HSV type 1 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was detected as positive. Acyclovir treatment was discontinued due to the development of a severe allergic reaction on the fifth day of acyclovir treatment. Allergic symptoms of the patient regressed with discontinuation of acyclovir treatment and application of concomitant methylprednisolone treatment. The intravenous acyclovir desensitization protocol was applied to the patient, and the patient was successfully treated. In this case, it has been shown that intravenous acyclovir desensitization can be applied in the treatment of life-threatening infections with no treatment options other than intravenous acyclovir. Our case is the first adult case in the literature to be treated with intravenous acyclovir desensitization.