Susceptibility of porcine cytomegalovirus to antiviral drugs

Fryer, J. F.L., Griffiths, P. D., Emery, V. C. and Clark, D. A. (2004) Susceptibility of porcine cytomegalovirus to antiviral drugs. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 53(6), pp. 975-980. (doi: 10.1093/jac/dkh231) (PMID:15117919)

Abstract

Objectives: Re-activation of porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) in the xenograft has been reported in pig-to-baboon models of xenotransplantation and is associated with invasive disease and consumptive coagulopathy. If xenotransplantation of porcine organs into human recipients is to proceed, donor organs will have to be free from a wide range of infectious agents including PCMV. However, it is prudent to characterize the antiviral susceptibility of this virus. We therefore investigated the effect of selected antiviral agents, currently licensed for the treatment of human herpesvirus infections, on PCMV replication. Methods: Antiviral susceptibility was determined using real-time PCR and indirect immunofluorescence measurements in a porcine fallopian tube cell line infected with PCMV. Results: PCMV replication was significantly inhibited by ganciclovir and cidofovir (both EC50 < 1 mg/L) and to a lesser extent by foscarnet (EC50 within range 25–50 mg/L) and aciclovir (EC50 > 25 mg/L). Conclusions: These results show that, if it proves necessary, ganciclovir and cidofovir should be considered as first-line drugs to treat PCMV infections in xenograft recipients.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Clark, Dr Duncan
• Authors: Fryer, J. F.L., Griffiths, P. D., Emery, V. C., and Clark, D. A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 1460-2091
• ISSN (Online): 1460-2091