CMV - gastroenteritis/colitis Health Article

Prevention

There is a significant risk of CMV infection in people who are antibody-negative and subsequently receive an organ from a CMV-positive donor.

Both ganciclovir (Cytovene) and valacyclovir (Valtrex) -- given orally before the transplant -- can decrease the likelihood of a new infection or reactivation of an old infection in patients who have received organ or bone marrow transplants, as well as in patients with AIDS.

Cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin may be given to bone marrow transplant or renal transplant recipients who fail to respond to antiviral therapy.