Chinese Hepatolgy ›› 2024, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (8): 990-993.

• Other Liver Diseases • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of probiotic-assisted ganciclovir therapy on disease outcomes in neonatal human cytomegalovirus hepatitis

JIANG Yu-tong1, ZENG Rui1, FENG Jie1, HUO Jin-yuan2   

  1. 1. Department of Neonatology, Longquanyi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Chengdu 610100, China;
    2. Department of Pharmacy, Yulin Third Hospital (Yulin Infectious Disease Hospital), Shaanxi 719000, China
  • Received:2024-01-10 Online:2024-08-31 Published:2024-09-30
  • Contact: HUO Jin-yuan, Email:yuanzide2009@163.com

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the efficacy of combined probiotics and ganciclovir treatment on the outcomes of neonatal human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) hepatitis. Methods Between March 2020 and March 2023, 47 neonates with HCMV hepatitis admitted to the Pediatrics Department of Longquanyi District Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Chengdu were randomly divided into an observation group (n=24) and a control group (n=23). The control group received ganciclovir treatment, while the observation group was administered a combination of probiotics and ganciclovir. Treatment efficacy, HCMV DNA load, liver function indicators (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], total bilirubin [TBil], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], total bile acids [TBA]), and levels of inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], interleukin-6[IL-6]) were compared between the groups. Additionally, growth and development status, recovery time, and the rate of adverse reactions were analyzed. Results The total effective rate of the observation group (93.18%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (76.74%) (P<0.05). After 2 weeks of treatment, the HCMV DNA load in the control group was 8.44 ± 1.42 copies/mL, with a recovery time of 3.87 ± 0.81 weeks. In the observtion group, The HCMV DNA load was 7.41 ± 1.25 copies/mL, with a recovery time of 2.18 ± 0.51 weeks. Both the HCMV DNA load and recovery time were significantly lower in the observtion group compared to the control group (P<0.05). After two weeks of treatment, the liver function indicators in the control group were as follows: ALT 46.33 ± 8.13 U/L, TBil 31.38 ± 7.11 μmol/L, AST 58.42 ± 12.18 U/L, and TBA 14.42 ± 4.17 μmol/L. In the observation group, the corresponding values were ALT 40.92 ± 6.09 U/L, Tbil 28.03 ± 6.03 μmol/L, AST 52.96 ± 10.11 U/L, and TBA 12.08 ± 3.15 μmol/L. The observation group showed significantly better improvement in liver function (P<0.05). After two week, the growth metrics in the control group were: body weight 3914.28 ± 118.11 g, length 53.25 ± 2.23 cm, and head circumference 36.28 ± 0.24 cm. In the observation group, these values were: body weight 3989.79 ± 115.36 g, length 54.61 ± 1.29 cm, and head circumference 36.74 ± 0.18 cm, indicating superior growth (P<0.05); The incidence of adverse reactions was similar between the two groups and not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion The combination of probiotics and ganciclovir in the treatment of neonatal HCMV hepatitis is notably effective. Thhis approach reduces viral load, improves liver function, supports neonatal growth and development, shortens recovery time, and is well-tolerated, ensuring safety.

Key words: Probiotics, Ganciclovir, Neonatal human cytomegalovirus hepatitis, Liver function, Adverse reactions