title: Use of oral valaciclovir in a 12-year-old boy with herpes simplex encephalitis.
abstract: We report on a 12-year-old boy with herpes simplex encephalitis, in whom a severe localised skin reaction developed following the infusion of intravenous acyclovir. Oral valaciclovir was given as continuation therapy to complete the 3-week course of antiviral treatment and resulted in complete recovery without side effects. This report illustrates the advantage of using the polymerase chain reaction to diagnose herpes simplex encephalitis and the potential use of newer antiviral agents, such as valaciclovir, as continuation therapy in the management of the infection. The higher oral bioavailability of newer antiviral agents allows part of the extended treatment period of patients with herpes simplex encephalitis to be carried out as an ambulatory oral regimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Peiris
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Huen
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011355:Prodrugs; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011355:Prodrugs; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir