ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate in vitro and in vivo anti-human herpes simplex virus effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Guinea pigs model of cutaneous herpes virus infection was applied, and Vero cells infected by HSV-I and HSV-II were used as experimental systems to observe the antiherpes effect of ALA-PDT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The in vitro experiments showed that ALA-PDT has antiherpes effect on HSV-I and HSV-II, its effect was similar to that of acyclovir. The results of animal experiments showed that ALA-PDT had significant therapeutic effect on guinea pigs model of cutaneous herpes virus infection, the effect was dose-related.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ALA-PDT could be effective in treating HSV infections, which may provide a new approach to the treatment of viral infections.</p>