Lu Cheng-Hsun, Tsai Jia-Huei, Wu Mu-Zon, Yu Chia-Li, Hsieh Song-Chou
Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Antivir Ther. 2015;20(1):93-6. doi: 10.3851/IMP2796. Epub 2014 May 15.
Leflunomide, a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), has shown effectiveness in many autoimmune disorders and can suppress cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in humans. Thus, it is possible for leflunomide to play a role in CMV prophylaxis or pre-emptive therapy in high-risk patients in addition to its application as a DMARD for autoimmune disorders. We describe two adult patients who developed CMV disease after administration of low-dose leflunomide. One patient was successfully treated with an increasing leflunomide dosage, resulting in a long-term suppression of serum CMV viral load.
