Effect of laser phototherapy on recurring herpes labialis prevention: an in vivo study.
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.
de Carvalho
Renata Rodrigues
RR
Special Laboratory of Lasers in Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil.
de Paula Eduardo
Fernanda
F
Ramalho
Karen Müller
KM
Antunes
José Leopoldo Ferreira
JL
Bezinelli
Letícia Mello
LM
de Magalhães
Marina Helena Cury Gallottini
MH
Pegoretti
Tatiana
T
de Freitas
Patrícia Moreira
PM
de Paula Eduardo
Carlos
C
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
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir