Effect of oral acyclovir after penetrating keratoplasty for herpetic keratitis: a placebo-controlled multicenter trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prophylactic effect of oral acyclovir on the recurrence rate of herpetic eye disease after penetrating keratoplasty.


METHODS
A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled multicenter trial.


METHODS
Sixty-eight consecutive patients (68 eyes) with corneal opacities due to herpetic eye disease who underwent penetrating keratoplasty.


METHODS
Oral acyclovir 400 mg twice daily or placebo tablets for 6 months.


METHODS
The recurrence rate of herpetic eye disease-related events and rejection episodes, proven by viral cell culture or polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
During the 2-year follow-up period, there were 3 culture-proven herpetic eye disease recurrences in the acyclovir group and 9 in the placebo group. Lifetime survival analysis of the probability of remaining free from recurrence revealed a significantly reduced risk of recurrent herpetic disease in the acyclovir-treated group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that oral acyclovir effectively prevents herpes-related recurrences after penetrating keratoplasty in herpetic eye disease.
van Rooij
Jeroen
J
The Rotterdam Eye Hospital, Schiedamsevest 180, 3011 BH Rotterdam, The Netherlands. drjoe403@xs4all.nl
Rijneveld
Wilhelmina J
WJ
Remeijer
Lies
L
Völker-Dieben
Henny J M
HJ
Eggink
Catrien A
CA
Geerards
Annette J M
AJ
Mulder
Paul G H
PG
Doornenbal
Peter
P
Beekhuis
W Houdijn
WH
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir