Acyclovir References

11: FASEB J. 2005 Apr 28;

S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase activity is required for the outcome of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection and represents a new potential therapeutic target.

Greco A, Calle A, Morfin F, Thouvenot D, Cayre M, Kindbeiter K, Martin L, Levillain O, Diaz JJ.

All the available antiherpetic drugs are directed against viral proteins. Their extensive clinical use has led to the emergence of resistant viral strains. There is a need for the treatment of herpes infections due to resistant strains, especially for immunocompromised patients. To design new kinds of drugs, we have developed a strategy to identify cellular targets. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is concomitant to a repression of most host protein synthesis. However, some cellular proteins continue to be efficiently synthesized. We speculated that some of them could determine the outcome of infection. Since two polyamines, spermidine and spermine, are components of the HSV-1 virions, we investigated whether enzymes involved in their synthesis could be required for viral infection. We show that inhibition of S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase, a key enzyme of the polyamine metabolic pathway, prevents HSV-1 infection. Inhibition of polyamine synthesis prevents infection of culture cells with HSV-1 laboratory strains as well as clinical isolates that are resistant to the conventional antiviral drugs acyclovir and foscarnet. Our data provide the opportunity to develop molecules with a novel mechanism of action for the treatment of herpes infection.

12: Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2005 May;25(5):419-26.

Spectrum of antiviral activity of o-(acetoxyphenyl)hept-2-ynyl sulphide (APHS).

Pereira CF, Rutten K, Stranska R, Huigen MC, Aerts PC, de Groot RJ, Egberink HF, Schuurman R, Nottet HS.

Eijkman-Winkler Center, Hp G04.614, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, NL-3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Since some antiviral drugs have a broad spectrum of action, the aim of this study was to assess whether o-(acetoxyphenyl)hept-2-ynyl sulphide (APHS), a recently described inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication, has an effect on the replication of other retroviruses, (-) and (+) RNA viruses and DNA viruses. APHS did not affect the replication of feline immunodeficiency virus, HIV-2 and a HIV-1 strain resistant to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI). APHS could also not inhibit the replication of the RNA viruses, respiratory syncytium virus or mouse hepatitis virus. In contrast, APHS did inhibit the replication of wild-type herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) as well as acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 and HSV-2 mutant. These results suggest that APHS is a NNRTI of HIV-1 replication, but not HIV-2 replication, and that APHS is an inhibitor of both HSV-1 and HSV-2 replication.

13: Clin Infect Dis. 2005 May 15;40(10):1545-7. Epub 2005 Apr 13.

A case of Ramsay Hunt-like syndrome caused by herpes simplex virus type 2.

Diaz GA, Rakita RM, Koelle DM.

Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. geodiaz@u.washington.edu

We report an immunocompetent patient with recurrent auricular and facial vesicles associated with painful paresthesias and facial paralysis, consistent with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, due to herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2. Clinical and laboratory-proven acyclovir resistance developed during therapy. Immunologic assays revealed normal reactivity to HSV-2.

14: J Periodontol. 2005 Jan;76(1):148-53.

Alveolar bone necrosis and tooth exfoliation following herpes zoster infection: a review of the literature and case report.

Mendieta C, Miranda J, Brunet LI, Gargallo J, Berini L.

Dental Faculty, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. cmendieta@ub.edu

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (HZ) presents as a cutaneous vesicular eruption in the area innervated by the affected sensory nerve, usually associated with severe pain. Oral manifestations of HZ appear when the mandibular or maxillary divisions of the trigeminal nerve are affected. METHODS: This is a case report of a 63-year-old woman with HZ infection with trigeminal nerve involvement that led to a rapid loss of alveolar bone and exfoliation of two teeth. RESULTS: The initial intraoral examination showed redness of the alveolar mucosa and gingiva of the lower right quadrant with multiple well-delimited and painful erosive lesions affecting the attached gingiva around the teeth. Two weeks later, teeth number 27 (lower right canine) and 28 (lower right first premolar) had class III mobility, flow of purulent exudate from the gingival sulcus, and deep pockets (>11 mm). The radiological examination showed advanced alveolar bone loss around both teeth. The prognosis for teeth number 27 and 28 was considered hopeless, and they were extracted. Due to extensive necrosis there was no interdental alveolar bone. The case is presented with a review of clinical data from patients with trigeminal HZ infection associated with osteonecrosis or exfoliation of teeth previously reported in the literature. The mechanisms by which the HZ infection leads to the alveolar bone necrosis are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive osteonecrosis and exfoliation of teeth in the area innervated by the nerve affected by HZ has been reported after HZ infection. Clinicians should be aware of this possible outcome after a trigeminal HZ infection.

Publication Types: Case Reports Review Review of Reported Cases

15: Georgian Med News. 2005 Jan;(1):67-70.

Clinical aspects of treatment of genital herpes with plaferon LB and phenowine

Nozadze TG, Korsantiia NB, Kupradze SA.

Exacerbation of genital herpes simplex is followed by suppression of immunocompetence of patients. This proves necessity of adjuvant immunocorrective therapy. In our previous investigations it was shown that plaferon LB possessed immunotropic effect, and phenowine (as an antioxidant remedy) was intensifying the action of plaferon. These data allow us to examine protective action of plaferon and phenowine in complex treatment of genital herpes. High-performance scheme of herpetic relapse was suggested, which was established on aetiotropic effect of acyclovir and immunomodulating action of plaferon and phenowine: satisfactory outcome in 92,1 percent (monotherapy with acyclovir--70,7%). Results of complex therapy appeared in reduction of period of acute infection (on average 2,3 days) and in prolongation of remission (on average 157,3 days, vs 88,5 days in control group). Therapeutic action was achieved by antiviral properties of acyclovir and plaferon, immunostimulating action of plaferon and antioxidant effect of phenowine.

Publication Types: Evaluation Studies

16: Anticancer Res. 2005 Jan-Feb;25(1A):255-61.

Consequences of chemoresistance for the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir-induced bystander effect in a human small cell lung cancer cell line model.

Van Dillen IJ, Mulder NH, Sluiter WJ, Meijer C, De Jong S, Loncarek J, Mesnil M, De Vries EF, Vaalburg W, Hospers GA.

Department of Pathology, Groningen University Hospital, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.

This paper focuses on the influence of chemoresistance on the herpes simplex virus (HSV-tk)/ganciclovir (GCV)-induced bystander effect (BE), as studied in a human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell line (GLC4) and its sublines with in vitro acquired resistance to adriamycin (GLC4/ADR), mitoxantrone (GLC4/MITO) and cisplatin (GLC4/CDDP). Chemoresistance for adriamycin, mitoxantrone and cisplatin significantly changed GCV sensitivity. A significant BE was found in all GLC4 cell lines. Compared to the parental GLC4 cell line, the BE was significantly higher only for the GLC4/ADR cell line. No expression of the nucleoside transporters MRP4 and MRP5 was detected. In all cell lines expression of connexin 43 was found, but modulation of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) by 18-alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid did not significantly change the BE in any of the GLC4 cell lines. In conclusion, chemoresistance can influence the HSV-tk/GCV-induced BE, which seems not to be related to differences in MRP4/MRP5 expression or to differences in GJIC.

17: Int J STD AIDS. 2005 Feb;16(2):175-7.

Sacral myeloradiculitis complicating genital herpes in a HIV-infected patient.

Corral I, Quereda C, Navas E, Perez-Elias MJ, Jover F, Moreno S.

Department of Neurology, Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain. icorral.hrc@salud.madrid.org

Myeloradiculitis is a rare neurological complication of herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) infection, frequently associated with a fatal outcome. Among patients with HIV infection, HSV-2 myeloradiculitis has occasionally been reported, always associated with advanced immunosuppression and AIDS. We report a patient with HIV infection but no history of previous opportunistic infections, who developed sacral myeloradiculitis immediately after an episode of genital herpes. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium showed necrotizing myelitis in the conus medullaris and enhancement of sacral roots. CD4 lymphocyte count was 530/mm3. Other possible causes of myeloradiculitis in HIV-infected patients were appropriately excluded. Acyclovir therapy resulted in partial clinical improvement. This report shows that myeloradiculitis as a complication of genital herpes may occur in the early stages of HIV infection and may have a favourable outcome with antiviral treatment.

Publication Types: Case Reports

18: Eur J Neurol. 2005 May;12(5):331-43.

Viral encephalitis: a review of diagnostic methods and guidelines for management.

Steiner I, Budka H, Chaudhuri A, Koskiniemi M, Sainio K, Salonen O, Kennedy PG.

Laboratory of Neurovirology, Department of Neurology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel. isteiner@md2.huji.ac.il

Viral encephalitis is a medical emergency. The spectrum of brain involvement and the prognosis are dependent mainly on the specific pathogen and the immunological state of the host. Although specific therapy is limited to only several viral agents, correct immediate diagnosis and introduction of symptomatic and specific therapy has a dramatic influence upon survival and reduces the extent of permanent brain injury in survivors. We searched MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine) for relevant literature from 1966 to May 2004. Review articles and book chapters were also included. Recommendations are based on this literature based on our judgment of the relevance of the references to the subject. Recommendations were reached by consensus. Where there was lack of evidence but consensus was clear we have stated our opinion as good practice points. Diagnosis should be based on medical history, examination followed by analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for protein and glucose contents, cellular analysis and identification of the pathogen by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification (recommendation level A) and serology (recommendation level B). Neuroimaging, preferably by magnetic resonance imaging, is an essential aspect of evaluation (recommendation level B). Lumbar puncture can follow neuroimaging when immediately available, but if this cannot be obtained at the shortest span of time it should be delayed only in the presence of strict contraindications. Brain biopsy should be reserved only for unusual and diagnostically difficult cases. All encephalitis cases must be hospitalized with an access to intensive care units. Supportive therapy is an important basis of management. Specific, evidence-based, anti-viral therapy, acyclovir, is available for herpes encephalitis (recommendation level A). Acyclovir might also be effective for varicella-zoster virus encephalitis, gancyclovir and foscarnet for cytomegalovirus encephalitis and pleconaril for enterovirus encephalitis (IV class of evidence). Corticosteroids as an adjunct treatment for acute viral encephalitis are not generally considered to be effective and their use is controversial. Surgical decompression is indicated for impending uncal herniation or increased intracranial pressure refractory to medical management.

Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial

19: Rev Chilena Infectol. 2005 Mar;22(1):38-46. Epub 2005 Mar 4.

Herpetic encephalitis: Case series of 15 patients confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.

Fica C A, Perez C C, Reyes O P, Gallardo P S, Calvo P X, Salinas S AM.

Seccion Infectologia, Hospital Clinico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Encephalitis by herpes simplex virus (HSV) is an sporadic and the most important cause of encephalitis in the western world. The aim of this study was to describe the main clinical features and response to therapy in a representative serie of cases. Fifteen cases confirmed by polymerase chain reaction were identified in two universitary hospitals in Santiago. Average age was 41 years (range 5-78) being 80% over 30 years old. Most cases presented with fever and sensorial involvement (80%) or headache (67%) and only a minority with seizures or focal signs ( 3 days before acyclovir therapy. (p = 0.01, two-tailed Fisher test).

20: Biomed Pharmacother. 2005 Apr;59(3):135-6.

Herpes simplex virus resistance to acyclovir in routine virological laboratory practice.

Stanojevic M, Zerjav S, Jevtovic D, Jovanovic T.

Publication Types: Letter

PMID: 15795108 [PubMed - in process]