Delaine M. Zayas-Bazán Burgos RISE Program BIOL 3095

Annotated Bibliography 2: Amir J, Levy I, Wolf DG. 2010. Treatment of symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection

with intravenous ganciclovir followed by long-term oral valganciclovir. European Journal of

Pediatrics [Internet]; [revised 201 January 13; Cited: 2012 October 19]. DOI 10.1007/s00431-

010-1176-9:1061–1067. Available at:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/bg650327335h16r0/fulltext.html

This study presents the outcome of twenty-three infants born with cytomegalovirus and

ranging in age from one to four. The virus causes several abnormalities including psychomotor

retardation, non-inherited hearing loss, calcifications, and ventricular problems among others.

Studies, such as audiometry and tympanometry, were performed to measure the patients’

progress in combination with physical, neurological, and developmental tests. Once concluded,

the results showed a significant improvement in the affected ears. The treatment of intravenous

ganciclovir followed by oral valganciclovir was well tolerated, and the main side effect reported

was transient neutropenia. Long-term treatment of congenital cytomegalovirus was more

efficient than short-term treatment. After the long-term treatment had ceased, there was no

reported hearing deterioration or increased psychomotor retardation. Treating a disease at an

early stage could make the difference between life and death or a normal life versus a life filled

with vicissitudes. If infected babies are treated, the life altering symptoms could be attenuated,

and this is a great contribution. This study provided a great retrospective view in which the

investigators compared and offered a broader perspective on the best treatments. The results of

the study are helpful in the construction of a review paper that desires to prove the effectiveness

of ganciclovir and valganciclovir in diverse groups of the population.