title: Valacyclovir for herpes simplex encephalitis.
abstract: The recommended treatment for herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) remains intravenous acyclovir. In resource-poor countries, however, intravenous formulations are usually unavailable or unaffordable. We report the penetration of acyclovir into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with HSE, treated with the oral prodrug valacyclovir at 1,000 mg three times daily. The oral therapy achieved adequate acyclovir concentrations in the CSF and may be an acceptable early treatment for suspected HSE in resource-limited settings.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. tpouplin@oucru.org
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pouplin
authors.forename: Julie Nguyen
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Pouplin
authors.forename: Pham
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Toi
authors.forename: Niklas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lindegardh
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rogier van Doorn
authors.forename: Tran Tinh
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Hien
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Farrar
authors.forename: M Estée
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Török
authors.forename: Tran Thi Hong
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Chau
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir