Journal List > Korean J Hematol > v.44(4) > 1032855

Lim, Lee, Ryu, Kim, Kim, Kim, Kim, Lee, Bae, Kim, Lee, Park, Won, Hong, Park, Park, and Lee: Ganciclovir and Leflunomide Combination Therapy for a Patient with Cytomegalovirus Pneumonia after Unrelated Allogenic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among transplant recipients. The first line standard therapy for CMV pneumonia is treatment with a combination of ganciclovir and immunoglobulin. Nevertheless, the mortality of CMV pneumonia is 30∼70%. Leflunomide has been recently reported to have novel anti-CMV activity by inhibiting viron assembly. It is also cheaper and is more easily given orally as compared to ganciclovir. We report here on an allogenic stem cell transplant recipient who developed CMV pneumonia that was refractory to ganciclovir and immunoglobulin. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of leflunomide and ganciclovir.

References

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Fig. 1.
Blasts are counted over 90% of all nucleated cells (ANC). They have high N/C ratio, fine chromatin, deep basophilic cytoplasm and cytoplasmic vacuoles by using Wright-Giemsa stain (A: ×100, B: ×1,000).
kjh-44-315f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Chest radiograph shows peribronchial nodular increased opacites in both lower lung zones (A). Chest HRCT shows diffuse distribution of nodule and GGO in both mid and lower lung zones (B).
kjh-44-315f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Follow up chest HRCT after 2 weeks shows minimal decreased extent of diffuse distribution of GGO and consolidation in both lungs.
kjh-44-315f3.tif
Fig. 4.
Follow up chest HRCT after 2 months shows more decreased extent of diffuse distribution of GGO and consolidation in both lungs.
kjh-44-315f4.tif
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