Historical overview of the use of cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin in organ transplantation.

A historical review of the development of cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin (CMV-IG, CytoGam) shows its increasing use in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, either alone or in combination with ganciclovir. A review of clinical trials of CytoGam in renal transplant recipients shows reductions in CMV-associated syndromes and fungal and parasitic superinfections, and increases in graft survival, while CytoGam prophylaxis trials in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients have produced reductions in severe CMV-associated disease and invasive fungal disease. A combination of CytoGam plus ganciclovir in OLT recipients has resulted in reductions in CMV hepatitis and infection, and CMV disease and viremia, plus a trend in improved 1- and 2-year survival rates.