Effect of low dose acyclovir (5 mg/kg) on virus shedding, interferon and humoral immunity in herpes zoster.
In a double-blind randomized trial, virological studies were carried out in non-immunocompromised patients with herpes zoster who received either acyclovir (5 mg/kg) or placebo intravenously three times daily for five days. Mean duration of virus shedding was not significantly different in the two groups and all patients developed high titres of antibody to varicella-zoster virus. Interferon levels in vesicle fluid reached a peak significantly sooner (P less than 0.025) and at a lower level in eight treated patients compared with eight given placebo, corresponding with significantly earlier cessation of vesicle formation in the treated group (P less than 0.05). Pretreatment virus isolates tested for sensitivity to the drug showed ED50 values from 4 +/- 0.7 to 17.5 +/- 1 microM acyclovir. Treatment with a dose of acyclovir greater than 5 mg/kg, but not exceeding 10 mg/kg, is recommended for herpes zoster.
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged
D007372:Interferons; D000212:Acyclovir