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.