Sandherr, M., Hentrich, M., Von Lilienfeld-Toal, M., Massenkeil, G., Neumann, S., Penack, O., . . . Cornely, O.A. (2015). Antiviral prophylaxis in patients with solid tumours and haematological malignancies—Update of the Guidelines of the Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society for Hematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO). Annals of Hematology, 94, 1441–1450.
RESOURCE TYPE: Consensus-based guideline
PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
Not provided
The influenza vaccine is recommended in patients with active malignancy undergoing chemotherapy, patients with acute leukemia after chemotherapy, and all patients during maintenance treatment. Insufficient evidence exists for acyclovir prophylaxis for preventing herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. The guidelines provide an algorithm for hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation prophylaxis, including screening, monitoring, and intervention based on positive HSs antigen and units of HBc DNA identified. Primary antiviral prophylaxis with nucleoside analogues for hepatitis B are effective in reducing risk. The guidelines identify risk factors for HBV reactivation:
These guideline add to the body of evidence recommending influenza vaccination in patients undergoing cancer treatment. This guideline does not recommend other routine prophylaxis and does provide suggestions regarding specific agents for prophylaxis according to individual patient risk factors based on disease, history, and treatment type.