To provide oral ganciclovir to patients who require maintenance for control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, but who lack patent permanent central venous access for long-term administration of intravenous drugs.

Patients receive oral ganciclovir as maintenance. Patients enrolled at time of closure of enrollment will receive 2 months of study drug and undergo follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria

Patients must have:

• AIDS.
• Stable CMV retinitis.
• Treatment with IV ganciclovir or IV foscarnet for at least 18 of the past 21 days.
• No permanent central IV catheter at present.
• Had a permanent central IV catheter removed two or more times within the past 6 months due to catheter infection or thrombosis.
• Consent of guardian if less than legal age of consent.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

• Require continuation of concomitant medications precluded by this protocol.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• Intravitreal anti-CMV treatment.
• Any other concomitant medications precluded by the protocol.

Patients with the following prior condition are excluded:

History of hypersensitivity to acyclovir or ganciclovir.