Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39510821›Full record

ArticleClinical transplantation and research2025

Valacyclovir versus valganciclovir for cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in kidney transplant recipients: a systematic review and comparative meta-analysis.

Leonardo Januário Campos Cardoso, Kleuber Arias Meireles Martins, Paulo Vitor Marques, Ivan Petterson Santana Teixeira, Ester Magalhães, Juan Lima Minkauskas, Isabela Coutinho Faria, Filipe Melo Ribeiro

Registry-linked trialAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical transplantation and research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07294547 (Non-Inferiority Assessment of Valacyclovir Versus Valganciclovir as Prophylaxis Against CMV and EBV Viremia in Kidney Transplant Recipients), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT07294547 narecruitingnot on this map

Non-Inferiority Assessment of Valacyclovir Versus Valganciclovir as Prophylaxis Against CMV and EBV Viremia in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Prospective Randomized Pilot Study.

TypeinterventionalSponsorNational Taiwan University HospitalRan2025 to 2030Enrolled80ConditionsKidney Transplantation, Cytomegalovirus Infections, EBV Infection, Antiviral ProphylaxisArmsValacyclovir (Valtrex), Valganciclovir (Valcyte)
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Leonardo Januário Campos CardosoDepartment of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9130-3143
Kleuber Arias Meireles MartinsDepartment of Medicine, University Center of Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5393-1584
Paulo Vitor MarquesDepartment of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3067-0279
Ivan Petterson Santana TeixeiraDepartment of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8084-9806
Ester MagalhãesDepartment of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6211-8926
Juan Lima MinkauskasDepartment of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8013-1708
Isabela Coutinho FariaDepartment of Medicine, University Center of Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5946-9418
Filipe Melo RibeiroDepartment of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2074-937X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Valganciclovir (ValG) is the most widely used drug for cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). However, it is associated with dose-limiting side effects and considerable costs. Some centers have identified valacyclovir (ValA) as an economically attractive alternative with a lower risk of bone marrow suppression. The comparative effectiveness of these two drugs is not well-established. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of ValA and ValG for CMV prophylaxis in KTRs. Methods: Searches were conducted of the Medline, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, and Ovid databases. Endpoints encompassed the incidence of CMV disease, CMV viremia, acute rejection, leukopenia/neutropenia, and other infections, including BK polyomavirus and non-CMV herpesviruses (HVs). Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Results: Six studies, comprising 888 patients (438 receiving ValA), were included. The groups were comparable in CMV viremia incidence (RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.31-1.57; P=0.4) and the development of CMV disease (RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.09-5.97; P=0.8). No significant differences in acute rejection rates were observed (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.50-1.91; P=0.8). However, the rate of leukopenia/neutropenia was significantly lower in the ValA group (RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.42-0.77; P<0.01). No significant differences were noted for BK viremia (RR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.24-1.87; P=0.4) or other HV infections (RR, 1.43; 95% CI, 0.61-3.38; P=0.4). Conclusions: The drugs demonstrate comparable efficacy in preventing CMV infection following kidney transplantation. However, ValA may have a lower impact on bone marrow suppression.

Indexed as

CytomegalovirusKidneyValacyclovirValganciclovir

Identifiers

PMID39510821
PMCPMC11959438

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.