Leflunomide use in a cytomegalovirus infection of a patient with dermatomyositis

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised populations, such as those suffering from dermatomyositis (DM). We present here a case study of a DM patient undergoing methotrexate treatment who presents with weakness, myalgia, elevated levels of hepatic transaminases and serological markers of CMV primo-infection. The antiviral activity of leflunomide against CMV was described recently. The use of leflunomide as an immunomodulator may have contributed to the satisfactory evolution of the treatment for a symptomatic CMV infection in an immunocompromised patient, since the typical treatment outcome is more prolonged and with additional complications.