Prepared by the AETC National Coordinating Resource Center based on recommendations from the CDC, National Institutes of Health, and HIV Medicine Association/Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents Cytomegalovirus Slide Set

2 July 2013www.aidsetc.org These slides were developed using recommendations published in July The intended audience is clinicians involved in the care of patients with HIV. Certain sections have been updated to reflect changes in the published guidelines. Users are cautioned that, because of the rapidly changing field of HIV care, this information could become out of date quickly. Finally, it is intended that these slides be used as prepared, without changes in either content or attribution. Users are asked to honor this intent. – AETC National Coordinating Resource Center About This Presentation

3 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Epidemiology  Clinical Manifestations  Diagnosis  Preventing Disease  Treatment  Monitoring  Preventing Recurrence  Considerations in Pregnancy Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Disease

4 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Double-stranded DNA virus, herpes virus family  Disseminated or localized disease  Occurs in patients with advanced immunosuppression (CD4 count typically <50 cells/µL)  Other risk factors: patient not on ART, previous opportunistic infections, high level of CMV viremia, high plasma HIV RNA (>100,000 copies/mL)  Usually caused by reactivation of latent infection CMV Disease: Epidemiology

5 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Before use of potent ART in the United States, 30% of AIDS patients developed CMV retinitis  ART has decreased incidence by 75-80%  In patients with established CMV retinitis, recurrence rate much lower with ART, but may occur even at high CD4 counts  Regular ophthalmologic follow-up is needed CMV Disease: Epidemiology (2)

6 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Retinitis  Colitis, cholangiopathy  Esophagitis  Pneumonitis  Neurologic disease CMV Disease: Clinical Manifestations

7 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Retinitis  Most common CMV end-organ disease  Usually unilateral; if untreated, is likely to progress to involve both eyes  Symptoms:  If peripheral: floaters, scotomata, visual field defects, or may be asymptomatic  If central or macular: decreased visual acuity, central field defects CMV Disease: Clinical Manifestations (2)

8 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Retinitis  Examination: fluffy yellow-white retinal infiltrates, with or without intraretinal hemorrhage; little vitreous inflammation unless immune recovery with ART  Progresses unless treated; may cause blindness CMV Disease: Clinical Manifestations (3)

9 July 2013www.aidsetc.org CMV Disease: Clinical Manifestations (4) CMV retinitis: funduscopic examinations showing hemorrhage and retinal exudates Credits:  Left: P. Volberding, MD; UCSF Center for HIV Information Image Library  Right: D. Coats, MD; Pediatric AIDS Pictorial Atlas, Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative

CMV Disease: Clinical Manifestations (5) Colitis  Second most common clinical manifestation of CMV  Occurs in 5-10% of persons with CMV end-organ disease  Weight loss, anorexia, abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, malaise, fever  Mucosal hemorrhage and perforation; can be life threatening  CT may show colonic thickening 10 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Credit: P. Volberding, MD; UCSF Center for HIV Information Image Library

CMV Disease: Clinical Manifestations (6) Esophagitis  Infrequent in persons with CMV end-organ disease  Odynophagia, nausea, mid-epigastric or retrosternal discomfort, fever 11 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Credit: P. Volberding, MD; UCSF Center for HIV Information Image Library

12 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Pneumonitis  Uncommon  CMV may be detected in bronchoalveolar lavage: usually is not pathogenic; other causes should be ruled out  Shortness of breath, dyspnea on exertion, nonproductive cough, hypoxemia  CXR: interstitial infiltrates CMV Disease: Clinical Manifestations (7)

13 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Neurologic disease  Dementia: lethargy, confusion, fever, but may mimic HIV- 1 dementia  CSF: lymphocytic pleocytosis, low-to-normal glucose, normal-to-elevated protein  Ventriculoencephalitis: more acute course; cranial nerve palsies, nystagmus, other focal neurologic signs, rapid progression to death  CT or MRI: periventricular enhancement CMV Disease: Clinical Manifestations (8)

14 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Neurologic disease  Polyradiculomyelopathy: resembles Guillian-Barré syndrome  Urinary retention, progressive bilateral leg weakness; progresses over weeks to loss of bowel and bladder control, flaccid paraplegia  Spastic myelopathy, sacral paresthesia possible  CSF: neutrophilic pleocytosis, low glucose, elevated protein CMV Disease: Clinical Manifestations (9)

15 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Blood tests (eg, PCR, antigen assays, blood culture) not recommended for diagnosis of CMV end-organ disease: poor positive and negative predictive value  CMV viremia usually present in end-organ disease but may be present in absence of end-organ disease  Antibody levels not useful, though negative IgG indicates CMV unlikely CMV Disease: Diagnosis

16 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Retinitis: characteristic retinal changes on funduscopy (by experienced ophthalmologist); PCR of vitreous helpful if exam not diagnostic  Colitis: mucosal ulcerations on endoscopy + biopsy with characteristic intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions  Esophagitis: ulceration of distal esophagus on endoscopy + biopsy with intranuclear inclusion bodies in endothelial cells  CMV culture from biopsy or brushing of colon or esophagus is not diagnostic  In patients with low CD4 counts, viremia and positive cultures may occur in absence of clinical disease CMV Disease: Diagnosis (2)

17 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Neurologic disease: clinical syndrome + CMV in CSF or brain tissue; detection enhanced by PCR  Pneumonitis: interstitial infiltrates + compatible clinical presentation + multiple CMV inclusion bodies in lung tissue, and absence of other likely pathogens CMV Disease: Diagnosis (3) Brain biopsy with CMV inclusions Credit: Images courtesy of AIDS Images Library (

18 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Patients from groups with low seroprevalence rates for CMV exposure (no contact with MSM, IDU, contact with children in day care) may be tested for CMV IgG  Counsel patients about exposure risks (semen, cervical secretions, saliva) and prevention (handwashing, latex gloves, condoms)  CMV-seronegative patients needing nonemergency blood transfusions should receive CMV-negative blood products CMV Disease: Preventing Exposure

19 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Use ART to suppress HIV VL and maintain CD4 count >100 cells/µL  Primary prophylaxis with valganciclovir not recommended (no preventive benefit in one study)  Recognition, treatment of early disease to prevent progression  Patient education: vigilance for increase in floaters, decrease in visual acuity  Some specialists recommend annual funduscopic examinations by ophthalmologist if CD4 <50 cells/µL CMV Disease: Preventing Disease

20 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Retinitis  Start or optimize ART for maximal viral suppression and immune reconstitution  Treat CMV retinitis in concert with ophthalmologist experienced with diagnosis and management of retinal disease  Initial anti-CMV therapy followed by chronic maintenance therapy  Intravitreal therapy provides immediate high intraocular drug levels and perhaps faster control of retinitis  Systemic therapy important to prevent disease in contralateral eye and improve survival CMV Disease: Treatment

21 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Retinitis (cont’d)  Several effective treatments: few comparative trials in recent years; no regimen proven to have superior efficacy  Individualize based on location and severity of lesions, level of immunosuppression, other factors CMV Disease: Treatment (2)

22 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Retinitis (cont’d)  Immediate sight-threatening lesions:  Intravitreal injections of ganciclovir 2 mg/injection or foscarnet 2.4 mg/injection for 1-4 doses over 7-10 days  Ganciclovir ocular implant no longer available +PLUS systemic therapy:  Preferred systemic therapy  Valganciclovir 900 mg PO BID for days, then QD CMV Disease: Treatment (3)

23 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Retinitis (cont’d)  Immediate sight-threatening lesions (cont’d):  Alternative systemic therapy  Ganciclovir 5 mg/kg IV Q12H for days, then 5 mg/kg IV QD  Ganciclovir 5 mg/kg IV Q12H for days, then valganciclovir 900 mg PO QD  Foscarnet 60 mg/kg IV Q8H or 90 mg/kg IV Q12H for days, then mg/kg Q24H  Cidofovir 5 mg/kg/week IV for 2 weeks, then 5 mg/kg every other week (with pre- and post-infusion hydration and probenecid) (avoid in patients with sulfa allergy) CMV Disease: Treatment (4)

24 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Retinitis (cont’d)  Small peripheral lesions:  Preferred  Systemic antiviral therapy as above CMV Disease: Treatment (5)

25 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Colitis, esophagitis  Preferred  Ganciclovir 5 mg/kg IV Q12H, may switch to valganciclovir 900 mg PO Q12H when patient can absorb and tolerate PO therapy  Alternative  Foscarnet 60 mg/kg IV Q8H or 90 mg/kg IV Q12H – if treatment- limiting toxicities or resistance to ganciclovir  Oral valganciclovir if PO therapy can be absorbed  For mild cases, if ART can be initiated or optimized quickly, can consider withholding CMV therapy  Duration: days, or until signs and symptoms have resolved CMV Disease: Treatment (6)

26 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Pneumonitis  Treat patients with histologic evidence of CMV pneumonitis  Limited experience: IV ganciclovir or foscarnet is reasonable  Oral valganciclovir not studied  Duration of therapy not established CMV Disease: Treatment (7)

27 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Neurologic disease  Treatment not well studied  Initiate treatment promptly  Ganciclovir IV + foscarnet IV until symptoms improve  Combination treatment preferred as initial therapy, to maximize response, but associated with high rates of adverse effects  Duration of therapy and role of oral valganciclovir not established CMV Disease: Treatment (8)

28 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  IRIS may cause retinal damage in patients with active CMV retinitis, or recent or past CMV retinitis  Incidence or severity of IRIS may be reduced by delaying ART until retinitis is controlled  CMV replication usually controlled 1-2 weeks after start of CMV therapy  Weigh brief delay in ART initiation against risk of other OIs  Most experts would not delay ART for more than 2 weeks after starting CMV therapy for retinitis or other CMV end- organ disease  Use clinical judgment in case of neurologic disease CMV Disease: Starting ART

29 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Retinitis  Close monitoring by experienced ophthalmologist  Dilated exam at time of diagnosis, after induction therapy, 1 month after initiation of therapy, monthly thereafter while on treatment CMV Disease: Monitoring

30 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Immune recovery uveitis  Inflammatory reaction to CMV after initiation of ART and in setting of significant rise in CD4 counts 4-12 weeks after start of ART  May cause macular edema and epiretinal membranes, vision loss  Treatment: periocular corticosteroids or short course of systemic corticosteroids CMV Disease: Adverse Events

31 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Ganciclovir: neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, diarrhea, renal dysfunction, seizures  Foscarnet: anemia, nephrotoxicity, electrolyte abnormalities, neurologic symptoms including seizures  Monitor CBC, electrolytes, renal function twice weekly during induction therapy, weekly thereafter CMV Disease: Adverse Events (2)

32 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Cidofovir: nephrotoxicity, hypotony  Check renal function, urinalysis before each infusion  Do not administer if renal dysfunction or proteinuria CMV Disease: Adverse Events (3)

33 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Retinitis: recurrence is likely unless immune reconstitution with ART  Early relapse: usually caused by limited intraocular penetration of systemic treatments  Drug resistance to ganciclovir, foscarnet, or cidofovir can occur CMV Disease: Treatment Failure

34 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Treatment options for first relapse:  Reinduction with the same drug, followed by maintenance therapy  Ganciclovir + foscarnet: superior to monotherapy but greater toxicity  Changing to alternative drug at first relapse: usually not more effective, unless drug resistance or significant side effects CMV Disease: Treatment Failure (2)

35 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Later relapse: often owing to drug resistance  Resistance occurs in long-term therapy (about 25% by 1 year of therapy, lower since widespread use of ART)  Similar rates for ganciclovir, foscarnet, cidofovir  Consider resistance testing (blood sample)  >90% correlation with virus in eye  Can be done in <48 hours  Most virus with high-level resistance to ganciclovir (UL97 + UL54 mutations) respond to foscarnet CMV Disease: Treatment Failure (3)

36 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  High-level ganciclovir resistance:  Switch to alternative therapy  Usually also resistant to cidofovir, sometimes to foscarnet  Consider series of intravitreal foscarnet injections and/or systemic therapy CMV Disease: Treatment Failure (4)

37 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Retinitis  Chronic maintenance therapy (secondary prophylaxis) for life, unless immune reconstitution on ART  Consult ophthalmologist regarding choice for chronic maintenance therapy and the preferred route (intravitreal, IV, oral, or combination), consider anatomic location of retinal lesions, vision in the contralateral eye, other factors CMV Disease: Preventing Recurrence

38 July 2013www.aidsetc.org Retinitis (cont’d):  Preferred  Valganciclovir 900 mg PO QD  Alternative  Ganciclovir 5 mg/kg IV 5-7 times weekly  Foscarnet mg/kg IV QD  Cidofovir 5 mg/kg IV every other week (with pre- and post- infusion hydration and probenecid) (avoid in patients with sulfa allergy) CMV Disease: Preventing Recurrence (2)

39 July 2013www.aidsetc.org GI disease, pneumonitis, CNS disease:  Chronic maintenance therapy not routinely recommended, after resolution of acute CMV syndrome and initiation of effective ART, unless retinitis or relapses CMV Disease: Preventing Recurrence (3)

40 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Consider discontinuation of secondary prophylaxis in patients with increase in CD4 count to > cells/µL for ≥6 months on ART  For retinitis, consult with ophthalmologist; consider location of retinal lesions, vision in contralateral eye  Close ophthalmologic monitoring  Restart secondary prophylaxis if CD4 count decreases to < cells/µL  Relapses have occurred at high CD4 counts (≥1,250 cells/µL); relapse rate if secondary prophylaxis discontinued for immune recovery is 3% per year CMV Disease: Preventing Recurrence (4)

41 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Diagnosis as in nonpregnant women  Treatment:  For retinitis, consider retinal implants or intravitreous therapy to limit fetal exposure to systemic antivirals  Ganciclovir: teratogenic in animals; limited data in human pregnancy but is treatment of choice during pregnancy  No data on valganciclovir during pregnancy  Monitor for hydrops fetalis after 20 weeks of gestation CMV Disease: Considerations in Pregnancy

42 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  Foscarnet: skeletal abnormalities in animals; no experience in early human pregnancy  Monitor amniotic fluid volumes after 20 weeks of gestation  Cidofovir: embryotoxic and teratogenic in animals; no experience in human pregnancy CMV Disease: Considerations in Pregnancy (2)

43 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  In utero infection occurs most commonly among infants born to mothers with primary CMV infection during pregnancy  >90% of HIV-infected women are CMV antibody positive; no role for treatment of asymptomatic women  For pregnant women with primary CMV infection or CMV end-organ disease, refer to maternal-fetal specialist CMV Disease: Considerations in Pregnancy (3)

44 July 2013www.aidsetc.org   Websites to Access the Guidelines

45 July 2013www.aidsetc.org  This presentation was prepared by Susa Coffey, MD, for the AETC National Resource Center in July  See the AETC NRC website for the most current version of this presentation: About This Slide Set