Suppression of Relapsing Infections Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus in Children

Overview

Since January 1993 till January 1999 at KDIN in Brno 16 children were followed up with frequent extensiveeruptions of mucocutaneous herpes simplex, who were administered a suppressive dose of acyclovirus (ACV) fora period of 6 months. The children were checked every months clinical and laboratory examinations, in case ofa new manifestation of morpha more frequently. Six children developed during ACV suppressive therapy onlyprodromal symptoms of herpes virus infection (mild burning or reddening at the site of previous eruptions) butwithout further progression of herpetic morphae. The remaining children had during the period of ACVadministration no eruptions of herpetic morphae. After discontinuation of ACV within 1 - 4 weeks in 12 childrenherpetic morphae reappeared, the extent of eruptions was however reduced. In all 16 children subsequently thefrequency of eruptions caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) declined to 1 - 2 eruptions within 4 - 6 months,however the extent of the affection diminished considerably. The paper indicates the possibility and effectivenessof suppressive administration of oral ACV to reduce the extent and frequency of eruptions of HSV infections inchildren.

Key words:
acyclovir, virus of herpes simplex