Author: Gabriel T. Meister
Leflunomide is an experimental immunosuppressive agent that has shown efficacy as an antiviral agent against
human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and polyomavirus strain BK (BKV). An antiviral regimen has been approved for immunosuppressed patients suffering complications from HCMV infection, whereas a good treatment option for patients infected with BKV does not exist. Unfortunately, the antiviral treatment options for patients infected with HCMV have helped promote the propagation of
multidrug resistant HCMV strains. New antiviral treatment options must be developed to ensure the health of immunosuppressed patients suffering from HCMV and BKV infection. This body of work illustrates the possible