Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 25 patients were treated with either sorivudine or placebo cream. All patients began 7 days of valacyclovir treatment on day 3. Zoster lesion swab samples and samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected periodically throughout the study and were analyzed for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) DNA by use of both qualitative and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum samples collected periodically throughout the study were analyzed for VZV DNA by use of real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: VZV DNA was detected in all 3 sample types, and the number of viral copies correlated with the progression of herpes zoster. No statistically significant differences were seen between the placebo- and sorivudine-treated groups with respect to clinical characteristics or laboratory test results. CONCLUSION: The detection of VZV DNA in the serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of all 25 zoster patients documents that viremia is a common manifestation of herpes zoster. Sorivudine cream appears to be a safe and well-tolerated adjuvant therapy; however, further phase 2 studies are needed to determine its clinical efficacy for the treatment of herpes zoster. Trials registration. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00652184.
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Authors | Anita K Satyaprakash, Anne Marie Tremaine, Arwen A Stelter, Rosella Creed, Parisa Ravanfar, Natalia Mendoza, Satish K Mehta, Peter L Rady, Duane L Pierson, Stephen K Tyring |
Journal | The Journal of infectious diseases
(J Infect Dis)
Vol. 200
Issue 1
Pg. 26-32
(Jul 01 2009)
ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States |
PMID | 19469706
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- DNA, Viral
- Placebos
- Valine
- Valacyclovir
- Acyclovir
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Topics |
- Acyclovir
(analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
- Adult
- Aged
- Antiviral Agents
(therapeutic use)
- DNA, Viral
(genetics, isolation & purification)
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Herpes Zoster
(drug therapy, genetics)
- Herpesvirus 3, Human
(genetics)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Patient Selection
- Placebos
- Valacyclovir
- Valine
(analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
- Viremia
(drug therapy)
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