Which medication is commonly used to treat CMV retinitis?

Which medication is commonly used to treat CMV retinitis?

• A. Acyclovir
• B. Ganciclovir
• C. Foscarnet
• D. Valacyclovir

Answer: (B)

Treating CMV retinitis relies on drugs that specifically stop CMV from copying its DNA. Ganciclovir fits that need well because it becomes activated inside infected cells and then inhibits the CMV DNA polymerase, directly blocking viral replication. This makes it the most commonly used therapy for CMV retinitis, usually given systemically (intravenous ganciclovir or oral valganciclovir, which has good bioavailability) and sometimes supplemented by local intraocular treatments for fuller control. Other antivirals like acyclovir and valacyclovir are great for HSV and VZV, but they’re not reliably active against CMV because CMV doesn’t activate them effectively. Foscarnet can treat CMV and is useful if ganciclovir isn’t tolerated or if resistance develops, but it tends to be a second-line choice due to higher toxicity risks, especially kidney and electrolyte issues. So, the best choice for commonly treating CMV retinitis is ganciclovir because of its direct anti-CMV activity and established role as first-line therapy.

Treating CMV retinitis relies on drugs that specifically stop CMV from copying its DNA. Ganciclovir fits that need well because it becomes activated inside infected cells and then inhibits the CMV DNA polymerase, directly blocking viral replication. This makes it the most commonly used therapy for CMV retinitis, usually given systemically (intravenous ganciclovir or oral valganciclovir, which has good bioavailability) and sometimes supplemented by local intraocular treatments for fuller control.

Other antivirals like acyclovir and valacyclovir are great for HSV and VZV, but they’re not reliably active against CMV because CMV doesn’t activate them effectively. Foscarnet can treat CMV and is useful if ganciclovir isn’t tolerated or if resistance develops, but it tends to be a second-line choice due to higher toxicity risks, especially kidney and electrolyte issues.

So, the best choice for commonly treating CMV retinitis is ganciclovir because of its direct anti-CMV activity and established role as first-line therapy.