The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of parenteral administration of
interferon alpha-2alpha in the treatment of recurrent
herpes genitalis. A total of 97 patients (66 males, 31 females, mean age 34.86 +/-16.74 years), who had at least five recurrences of
genital herpes during the previous 12 months, participated in a prospective open study on the effects of treatment with
interferon alpha-2alpha (
Roferon-A; Roche). The patients were treated with
interferon alpha-2alpha (3 x 10(6) IU) by
subcutaneous injection, three times weekly for 4 weeks, and the same schedule was repeated after 3 and 6 months. All patients were asymptomatic at the start of the study. After initiation of treatment, all patients reported to the clinic every 3 months for 2 years (the males were submitted to peoscopy and the females to Pap test and colposcopy) at the time of their recurrences. Comparison was made of the number of recurrences, duration of lesions, duration and severity of
pain, and
itching and burning. Prophylactic administration of
interferon alpha-2alpha prevented recurrences of
genital herpes virus infection in 51 patients (20 males and 31 females).
Interferon administration shortened the healing time from 8.5 days before treatment to 2.5 days
after treatment (p < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in the number of recurrences during the study period, from 7.46 before treatment to 2.64
after treatment (p < 0.001). On the basis of the overall efficacy and adverse effects, this regimen may be of value in the routine treatment of recurrent herpes.