Can an antiviral drug help sepsis patients breathe on their own sooner?
NCT ID NCT04706507
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 3 trial tested whether the antiviral drug ganciclovir could prevent reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in adults with sepsis who needed a breathing machine. The study enrolled 205 CMV-positive patients in the ICU with acute respiratory failure. Participants received either ganciclovir or a placebo for up to 28 days. The goal was to see if the drug increased the number of days they were free from breathing support. The trial was terminated early, so the full results are not available.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Ganciclovir (an antiviral drug)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could reduce the time patients with sepsis need a breathing machine, potentially improving recovery.
What could go wrong
The trial was terminated early, so results are limited. Ganciclovir can cause side effects like kidney problems or low blood cell counts.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Brigham & Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Duke University
Durham, North Carolina, 27708, United States
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Harborview Medical Center
Seattle, Washington, 98104, United States
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Henry Ford Hospital
Detroit, Michigan, 48202, United States
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Intermountain Medical Center
Murray, Utah, 84107, United States
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Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, United States
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Medical College of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
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Montefioure Medical Center
The Bronx, New York, 10467, United States
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Ohio State University Medical Center
Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
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The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
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University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45221, United States
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University of Colorado Denver
Denver, Colorado, 80204, United States
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University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109-5360, United States
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University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261, United States
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University of Vermont College of Medicine
Burlington, Vermont, 05405, United States
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University of Washington Medical Center
Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States
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University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health
Madison, Wisconsin, 53792, United States
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Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee, 37235, United States
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Wakeforest University, School of Medicine
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States
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Washington University
St Louis, Missouri, 63130, United States