title: Human interferon therapy for herpes zoster in adults.
abstract: Of 37 patients with herpes zoster 28 were treated with human exogenous interferon and 9 received only culture medium. The interferon was produced in leukocyte cultures and was given intramuscularly in one daily dose of 1 million units for 5-8 days. In the interferon-treated patients interferon was detectable in serum (peak level 1-5 hours after interferon injections) and in vesicle fluid, and in some patients also in urine samples. Anti-interferon antibodies were not found. Of the 28 interferon-treated patients 8 had a slight temperature increase and 4 showed a transient local reaction. In the interferon treated group of patients the duration of pain was shortened and the development of crust formation was enhanced compared with the control group.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D010919:Placebos
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D007372:Interferons