Foscarnet therapy for severe acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type-2 infections in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). An uncontrolled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether trisodium phosphonoformate (foscarnet) is efficacious in treating severe mucocutaneous disease due to acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) infection in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).


METHODS
Open-labeled drug administration to patients with AIDS and severe ulcerative disease due to acyclovir-resistant HSV-2 infection.


METHODS
Medical floors of acute care hospital.


METHODS
Four patients with AIDS who developed progressive ulcerative mucocutaneous lesions of the genitals, perineum, perianal region, or finger due to acyclovir-resistant, thymidine-kinase (TK)-negative strains of HSV-2.


METHODS
Foscarnet, 60 mg/kg body weight intravenously every 8 hours (with reduced dosage for renal impairment), for 12 to 50 days.


RESULTS
All patients receiving foscarnet had dramatic improvement in their clinical findings with marked clearing of mucocutaneous lesions and eradication of HSV from mucosal surfaces.


CONCLUSIONS
Foscarnet may be an effective treatment for severe mucocutaneous disease due to acyclovir-resistant, TK-negative strains of HSV-2.
Erlich
K S
KS
University of California, San Francisco.
Jacobson
M A
MA
Koehler
J E
JE
Follansbee
S E
SE
Drennan
D P
DP
Gooze
L
L
Safrin
S
S
Mills
J
J
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D017245:Foscarnet; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010746:Phosphonoacetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D017245:Foscarnet; D010746:Phosphonoacetic Acid; D000212:Acyclovir