‘Antiviral in transplant case harms if mutation in gene'

Amidst discussions on the effectiveness of antivirals against Covid-19, a city hospital has found that an antiviral prescribed to organ transplant patients in the usual doses could harm them if they carry a particular genetic variation.

- Malathy Iyer

Mumbai: The antiviral, valganciclovir, is given mandatorily to all transplant patients for six to nine months post transplant, with each tablet costing between Rs 150 and Rs 250.

“This is for the first time in the world that toxicity to an antiviral has been reported in patients deficient with the enzyme NUDT-15,” said the study’s lead author Dr Madan Bahadur from Jaslok Hospital, Pedder Road.

The finding could improve post-transplant care for all patients, especially Asians who have a higher incidence of the NUDT-15 variation, he said. The tablet is also prescribed to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or those with an immuno-compromised condition such as HIV/AIDS.