title: Effect of laser phototherapy on recurring herpes labialis prevention: an in vivo study.
abstract: Alternative treatment for recurrent labial infection by herpes simplex virus (HSV) have been considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of laser phototherapy in prevention and reduction of severity of labial manifestations of herpes labialis virus. Seventy-one patients, divided into experimental (n = 41) and control (n = 30) groups were followed up for 16 months. Patients in the control group were treated topically with aciclovir and patients in the experimental group were subjected to laser phototherapy (one session per week, 10 weeks): 780 nm, 60 mW, 3.0 J/cm(2) or 4.5 J/cm(2) on healthy (no HSV-1 infection) and affected (with HSV-1 infection) tissues. Patients in the experimental group presented a significant decrease in dimension of herpes labialis lesions (P = 0.013) and inflammatory edema (P = 0.031). The reduction in pain level (P = 0.051) and monthly recurrences (P = 0.076) did not reach statistical significance. This study represents an in vivo indication that this treatment should be further considered as an effective alternative to therapeutic regimens for herpes labialis lesions.
authors: Special Laboratory of Lasers in Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil.
authors: Renata Rodrigues
authors: RR
authors: de Carvalho
authors: Fernanda
authors: F
authors: de Paula Eduardo
authors: Karen Müller
authors: KM
authors: Ramalho
authors: José Leopoldo Ferreira
authors: JL
authors: Antunes
authors: Letícia Mello
authors: LM
authors: Bezinelli
authors: Marina Helena Cury Gallottini
authors: MH
authors: de Magalhães
authors: Tatiana
authors: T
authors: Pegoretti
authors: Patrícia Moreira
authors: PM
authors: de Freitas
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: de Paula Eduardo
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000532:radiotherapy; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir