Opportunistic CMV viremia (primary infection or reactivation) is usually managed by taking prophylactic medication for both adult and pediatric kidney transplant patients. Most hospitals prescribe valganciclovir for this purpose but valacyclovir has also been used. The most unfavorable side effect of valganciclovir is bone marrow suppression which can be troublesome for kidney transplant patients who are already immunosuppressed. We aim to assess the non-inferiority of valacyclovir compared with valganciclovir in this study.
Age at least 3 years of age
Patients who are about to receive or just received kidney transplantation within the past 2 weeks before the date of screening.
Will be receiving prophylactic antiviral therapy against CMV and/or EBV per discretion of transplant surgeon
No active CMV or EBV viremia (as defined by detectable viral load PCR) at the time of screening.
Severe co-morbidities that would preclude safe participation as judged by the transplant surgeon
Pregnancy (valganciclovir is likely teratogenic)
Known allergy to both valacyclovir and valganciclovir