A non-randomized comparative study using different doses of acyclovir to prevent herpes simplex reactivation in patients submitted to autologous stem cell transplantation
Braz. j. infect. dis
;
9(4): 330-335, Aug. 2005. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-415688
RESUMO
The reactivation of Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) occurs in 70 percent to 80 percent of patients submitted to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT); it increases the severity of chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Therefore, the use of acyclovir in ASCT patients is considered standard practice. However, the minimum dose needed to prevent reactivation is a matter of debate. We compared two doses of acyclovir in a non-randomized fashion in 59 patients submitted to ASCT 32 patients received a dose of 125 mg/m² IV every six hours and the subsequent 27 patients received a dose of 60 mg/m² IV every six hours. Viral excretion was evaluated through weekly viral culture of oral swabs. Grade 4 mucositis was more frequent in Group 1 (p= 0.03). The reactivation rates in Groups 1 and 2 were 9 percent and 4 percent, respectively (p= 0.62, 95 percent confidence interval -7 - 18). Prophylaxis with reduced doses of intravenous acyclovir seems to be as effective as a higher dose in inhibiting HSV reactivation, with a significant reduction in cost. Prospective randomized studies are needed to confirm our conclusions.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Antiviral Agents
/
Stomatitis
/
Stem Cell Transplantation
/
Guanine
/
Herpes Simplex
Type of study:
Controlled clinical trial
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. infect. dis
Journal subject:
Communicable Diseases
Year:
2005
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Federal University of Juiz de Fora/BR
/
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro/BR
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