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Background of CMV infection in kidney transplant

D+/R- CMV serostatus puts your kidney transplant recipients at highest risk1,2

Cytomegalovirus is an important cause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplant1,3

Numerous complexities surround the management of patients post-kidney transplant, including managing the risk of CMV.1,4

Without a prevention strategy, CMV infection and disease can occur after transplant1,5

CMV has been associated with increased risk of other infectious complications such as:1,5

  • Bacteremia
  • Invasive fungal diseases
  • Epstein‐Barr virus‐mediated post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders

CMV infection is also associated with acute rejection and chronic allograft injury.1,5,6

D+/R- kidney transplant recipients are at highest risk for CMV disease and the associated complications1

In addition to serostatus, another risk factor for CMV infection and disease post-kidney transplant is drug-induced immunosuppression1,3,5,7

CMV infection post-kidney transplant is associated with increased morbidity, including acute rejection and chronic allograft injury1,3,5,6

References

  1. Razonable RR, Humar A. Cytomegalovirus in solid organ transplant recipients—guidelines of the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Clin Transplant. 2019;33(9):e13512. doi:10.1111/ctr.13512
  2. Valencia Deray KG, Hosek KE, Chilukuri D, et al. Epidemiology and long-term outcomes of cytomegalovirus DNAemia and disease in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients. Am J Transplant. 2022;(1 ):187-198. doi :10.1111 /ajt.16822
  3. Ashoor IF, Solomon S. Post-transplant recipient infectious challenges. In: Alpay S, Benitz AP, Sener EO, eds. Challenges in Pediatric Kidney Transplantation. Springer; 2020:145-176. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-74783-1
  4. National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Managing Kidney Transplant Recipients. National Kidney Foundation; 2011. June 9, 2025. Https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/02-50-4080_ABB_ManagingTransRecipBk_Neph.pdf
  5. Smith JM, Kizilbash SJ, Dharnidharka VR. Prevention and treatment of infectious complications in pediatric renal transplant recipients. In: Schaefer F, Greenbaum LA, eds. Pediatric Kidney Disease. Springer; 2023. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-11665-0_69
  6. Harambat J, Madden I. Initiation of kidney replacement therapy: strategic choices and preparation. In: Schaefer F, Greenbaum LA, eds. Pediatric Kidney Disease. Springer; 2023. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-11665-0_64
  7. Tönshoff B, Melk A, Höcker B. Immunosuppression in pediatric kidney transplantation. In: Schaefer F, Greenbaum LA, eds. Pediatric Kidney Disease. Springer; 2023. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-11665-0_67

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INDICATIONS

PREVYMIS® (letermovir) is indicated for prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in adult and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older and weighing at least 6 kg who are CMV-seropositive recipients [R+] of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).

 

PREVYMIS is indicated for prophylaxis of CMV disease in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg who are kidney transplant recipients at high risk (Donor CMV seropositive/Recipient CMV seronegative [D+/R-]).

SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION

  • PREVYMIS is contraindicated in patients receiving pimozide or ergot alkaloids.
      • Increased pimozide concentrations may lead to QT prolongation and torsades de pointes.
      • Increased ergot alkaloids concentrations may lead to ergotism.
  • PREVYMIS is contraindicated with pitavastatin and simvastatin when co-administered with cyclosporine. Significantly increased pitavastatin or simvastatin concentrations may lead to myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
  • The concomitant use of PREVYMIS and certain drugs may result in potentially significant drug interactions, some of which may lead to adverse reactions (PREVYMIS or concomitant drugs) or reduced therapeutic effect of PREVYMIS or the concomitant drug.
  • Intravenous formulation of PREVYMIS contains the excipient hydroxypropyl betadex. PREVYMIS injection should be used only in patients unable to take oral therapy and patients should be switched to oral PREVYMIS as soon as they are able to take oral medications. If possible, intravenous administration should not exceed 4 weeks.
  • In patients with renal impairment, accumulation of hydroxypropyl betadex may occur. In adult patients with CLcr less than 50 mL/min and in pediatric patients with a similar degree of renal impairment (based on age-appropriate assessment of renal function) receiving PREVYMIS injection, closely monitor serum creatinine levels.
  • Animal studies have shown the potential for hydroxypropyl betadex to cause ototoxicity. The active ingredient, letermovir, is not known to be associated with ototoxicity.
  • The rate of adverse events occurring in at least 10% of adult HSCT recipients treated with PREVYMIS and at a frequency at least 2% greater than placebo were nausea (27% vs 23%), diarrhea (26% vs 24%), vomiting (19% vs 14%), peripheral edema (14% vs 9%), cough (14% vs 10%), headache (14% vs 9%), fatigue (13% vs 11%), and abdominal pain (12% vs 9%).
  • Hypersensitivity reaction, with associated moderate dyspnea, occurred in one adult HSCT recipient following the first infusion of IV PREVYMIS after switching from oral PREVYMIS, leading to treatment discontinuation.
  • The most common adverse event occurring in at least 10% of adult kidney transplant recipients treated with PREVYMIS and at a frequency greater than valganciclovir was diarrhea (32% vs 29%).
  • The safety profile of PREVYMIS in pediatric subjects was consistent with the safety profile observed in clinical trials of PREVYMIS in adults.
  • If PREVYMIS is co-administered with cyclosporine, the dosage of PREVYMIS should be decreased to 240 mg once daily.
  • If PREVYMIS is co-administered with cyclosporine in pediatric HSCT patients less than 12 years of age, dose adjustment may be required.
  • Co-administration of PREVYMIS may alter the plasma concentrations of other drugs and other drugs may alter the plasma concentrations of PREVYMIS. Consult the full Prescribing Information prior to and during treatment for potential drug interactions.
  • Closely monitor serum creatinine levels in patients with CLcr less than 50 mL/min using PREVYMIS injection.
  • PREVYMIS is not recommended for patients with severe (Child-Pugh Class C) hepatic impairment.
  • The safety and effectiveness of PREVYMIS have not been established for:
      • HSCT recipients less than 6 months of age or weighing less than 6 kg, or
      • Kidney transplant recipients less than 12 years of age or weighing less than 40 kg.
  • For patients with creatinine clearance (CLcr) greater than 10 mL/min (by Cockcroft-Gault equation), no dosage adjustment of PREVYMIS is required based on renal impairment. The safety of PREVYMIS in patients with end-stage renal disease (CLcr less than 10 mL/min), including patients on dialysis, is unknown.

Before prescribing PREVYMIS® (letermovir), please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information and Instructions for Use also are available.

INDICATIONS
SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION

PREVYMIS® (letermovir) is indicated for prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in adult and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older and weighing at least 6 kg who are CMV-seropositive recipients [R+] of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).

 

PREVYMIS is indicated for prophylaxis of CMV disease in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg who are kidney transplant recipients at high risk (Donor CMV seropositive/Recipient CMV seronegative [D+/R-]).

SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION

  • PREVYMIS is contraindicated in patients receiving pimozide or ergot alkaloids.
      • Increased pimozide concentrations may lead to QT prolongation and torsades de pointes.
      • Increased ergot alkaloids concentrations may lead to ergotism.
  • PREVYMIS is contraindicated with pitavastatin and simvastatin when co-administered with cyclosporine. Significantly increased pitavastatin or simvastatin concentrations may lead to myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
  • The concomitant use of PREVYMIS and certain drugs may result in potentially significant drug interactions, some of which may lead to adverse reactions (PREVYMIS or concomitant drugs) or reduced therapeutic effect of PREVYMIS or the concomitant drug.
  • Intravenous formulation of PREVYMIS contains the excipient hydroxypropyl betadex. PREVYMIS injection should be used only in patients unable to take oral therapy and patients should be switched to oral PREVYMIS as soon as they are able to take oral medications. If possible, intravenous administration should not exceed 4 weeks.
  • In patients with renal impairment, accumulation of hydroxypropyl betadex may occur. In adult patients with CLcr less than 50 mL/min and in pediatric patients with a similar degree of renal impairment (based on age-appropriate assessment of renal function) receiving PREVYMIS injection, closely monitor serum creatinine levels.
  • Animal studies have shown the potential for hydroxypropyl betadex to cause ototoxicity. The active ingredient, letermovir, is not known to be associated with ototoxicity.
  • The rate of adverse events occurring in at least 10% of adult HSCT recipients treated with PREVYMIS and at a frequency at least 2% greater than placebo were nausea (27% vs 23%), diarrhea (26% vs 24%), vomiting (19% vs 14%), peripheral edema (14% vs 9%), cough (14% vs 10%), headache (14% vs 9%), fatigue (13% vs 11%), and abdominal pain (12% vs 9%).
  • Hypersensitivity reaction, with associated moderate dyspnea, occurred in one adult HSCT recipient following the first infusion of IV PREVYMIS after switching from oral PREVYMIS, leading to treatment discontinuation.
  • The most common adverse event occurring in at least 10% of adult kidney transplant recipients treated with PREVYMIS and at a frequency greater than valganciclovir was diarrhea (32% vs 29%).
  • The safety profile of PREVYMIS in pediatric subjects was consistent with the safety profile observed in clinical trials of PREVYMIS in adults.
  • If PREVYMIS is co-administered with cyclosporine, the dosage of PREVYMIS should be decreased to 240 mg once daily.
  • If PREVYMIS is co-administered with cyclosporine in pediatric HSCT patients less than 12 years of age, dose adjustment may be required.
  • Co-administration of PREVYMIS may alter the plasma concentrations of other drugs and other drugs may alter the plasma concentrations of PREVYMIS. Consult the full Prescribing Information prior to and during treatment for potential drug interactions.
  • Closely monitor serum creatinine levels in patients with CLcr less than 50 mL/min using PREVYMIS injection.
  • PREVYMIS is not recommended for patients with severe (Child-Pugh Class C) hepatic impairment.
  • The safety and effectiveness of PREVYMIS have not been established for:
      • HSCT recipients less than 6 months of age or weighing less than 6 kg, or
      • Kidney transplant recipients less than 12 years of age or weighing less than 40 kg.
  • For patients with creatinine clearance (CLcr) greater than 10 mL/min (by Cockcroft-Gault equation), no dosage adjustment of PREVYMIS is required based on renal impairment. The safety of PREVYMIS in patients with end-stage renal disease (CLcr less than 10 mL/min), including patients on dialysis, is unknown.

Before prescribing PREVYMIS® (letermovir), please read the accompanying Prescribing Information. The Patient Information and Instructions for Use also are available.