What is the drug of choice for cytomegalovirus infections?

Ganciclovir is recognized as the drug of choice for treating cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. It is an antiviral medication specifically designed to target the viral DNA polymerase, which is crucial for the replication of the CMV virus. Ganciclovir is particularly effective in immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS or organ transplant recipients, where CMV infections can lead to severe complications, including retinitis and systemic diseases.

Acyclovir, although an antiviral medication, is primarily effective against herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus. Its efficacy against CMV is significantly less, making it unsuitable as the first-line treatment for CMV infections. Ribavirin is another antiviral that has broad-spectrum activity but is generally used for other viral infections, such as those caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or hepatitis C, rather than CMV. Interferon, while helpful in some viral infections and certain cancers, does not specifically target CMV and is not commonly used for treating CMV infections.

In summary, ganciclovir's specific antiviral actions against cytomegalovirus make it the most effective choice in clinical practice for managing CMV infections, particularly in populations at