CMV retinitis is an important sight-threatening opportunistic infection which affects about 10 to 15 percent of people with AIDS. A previous study has shown that treatment with ganciclovir resulted in a significant delay in time to first retinitis progression compared to untreated controls. More studies are warranted to evaluate effects at different doses.

In group A, 36 HIV seropositive patients with CMV viruria receive a single dose of intravenous ganciclovir followed by one of three oral dose regimens for 28 days. Twelve individuals are treated at each dose level. In group B, 12 patients with AIDS and CMV retinitis receive oral ganciclovir therapy. These 12 patients must have received an induction course of intravenous ganciclovir for 4 weeks prior to study entry and must have stable CMV retinitis. Measurements for both groups include pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerance (history, physical examination, hematology, and serum chemistry), and CMV blood and urine cultures. In addition, there are weekly ophthalmologic evaluations for individuals in the group B study.

Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

• Topical acyclovir.

There are two groups of patients. Group A must have:

• Confirmation of HIV infection by HIV antibody testing, p24 antigen, or culture of HIV.
• A positive urine culture for cytomegalovirus (CMV) within 4 weeks of study entry.
• Not received prior ganciclovir therapy.

Group B must have:

• A diagnosis of AIDS by CDC criteria.
• CMV retinitis diagnosed on funduscopic evaluation by an ophthalmologist.
• Completed 4 weeks of intravenous ganciclovir with an improvement or stabilization of retinitis. The course of therapy should include a minimum of 24 days total of intravenous ganciclovir.
• Patients in both groups must understand the nature of the study, agree to the tests required in the protocol, and must understand and sign an informed consent form approved by the appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB) and by Syntex.

Required:

Group B:

• 4 weeks of intravenous ganciclovir which should include a minimum of 24 days total of intravenous ganciclovir.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following are excluded:

• Macular involvement due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in both eyes.
• Active CMV retinitis in which there is progression.
• Presence of diarrhea or other clinically significant or uncontrolled gastrointestinal disease including persistent nausea and/or abdominal pain. Diarrhea is defined as > 3 unformed stools/day.
• Dementia or decreased mentation or other encephalopathic signs and symptoms which would interfere with the ability of the patient to follow the protocol, to take assigned dose regimen reliably, and to keep a daily record on a calendar.
• Significant CMV disease of other organs, including CMV gastroenteritis or CMV pneumonia.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• Any investigational drug.
• Acyclovir not specifically allowed.
• Any other nucleoside analog.
• Zidovudine (AZT).
• Probenecid.
• Aspirin.

Patients with the following are excluded:

• Macular involvement due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in both eyes.
• Active CMV retinitis in which there is progression.
• CMV end organ disease.
• Presence of diarrhea or other clinically significant or uncontrolled gastrointestinal disease including persistent nausea and/or abdominal pain. Diarrhea is defined as > 3 unformed stools/day.
• Dementia or decreased mentation or other encephalopathic signs and symptoms which would interfere with the ability of the patient to follow the protocol, to take assigned dose regimen reliably, and to keep a daily record on a calendar.
• Significant CMV disease of other organs, including CMV gastroenteritis or CMV pneumonia.

Prior Medication:

Excluded within 4 days of study entry:

• Antimetabolite.
• Interferon.
• Other nucleoside analog including zidovudine (AZT).

Excluded for Group A:

• Ganciclovir or other anti-cytomegalovirus therapy.