What type of infections is ganciclovir primarily used to treat?

Ganciclovir is primarily used to treat viral infections, specifically those caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV). This antiviral medication is particularly important in immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS or organ transplant recipients, who are at high risk for CMV infections. Ganciclovir works by inhibiting viral DNA replication, thus effectively reducing the viral load and helping to manage or prevent the complications associated with CMV.

The other types of infections listed—fungal, bacterial, and parasitic—involve entirely different pathogens and require different classes of medications for treatment. For example, antifungal agents are used for fungal infections, antibiotics for bacterial infections, and antiparasitic drugs for parasitic infections. This distinction clarifies why ganciclovir is specifically categorized for viral treatment rather than for other types of infectious agents.