What common virus is treated using ganciclovir?

Ganciclovir is an antiviral medication specifically effective against Cytomegalovirus (CMV), which is a member of the herpesvirus family. CMV can cause significant disease in immunocompromised patients, particularly in individuals who have undergone organ transplants or are living with HIV/AIDS. Ganciclovir works by inhibiting viral DNA synthesis, making it a critical treatment option for active CMV infections, especially retinitis in patients with AIDS or other conditions leading to severe immunosuppression.

In contrast, while ganciclovir is structurally related to other antiviral agents within the same class, it is not the primary treatment for other viruses mentioned in the options. For example, HIV is typically treated with a combination of antiretroviral medications, not ganciclovir. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is mainly treated with acyclovir. Influenza Virus is managed with antiviral agents such as oseltamivir or zanamivir, which target a different mechanism of action. This specificity of ganciclovir makes it particularly important in the management of CMV infections.