acyclovir and Influenza--Human

Most viral diseases, with the exception of those caused by human immunodeficiency virus, are self-limited illnesses that do not require specific antiviral therapy. The currently available antiviral drugs target 3 main groups of viruses: herpes, hepatitis, and influenza viruses. With the exception of the antisense molecule fomivirsen, all antiherpes drugs inhibit viral replication by serving as competitive substrates for viral DNA polymerase. Drugs for the treatment of influenza inhibit the ion channel M(2) protein or the enzyme neuraminidase. Combination therapy with Interferon-α and ribavirin remains the backbone treatment for chronic hepatitis C; the addition of serine protease inhibitors improves the treatment outcome of patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1. Chronic hepatitis B can be treated with interferon or a combination of nucleos(t)ide analogues. Notably, almost all the nucleos(t) ide analogues for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B possess anti-human immunodeficiency virus properties, and they inhibit replication of hepatitis B virus by serving as competitive substrates for its DNA polymerase. Some antiviral drugs possess multiple potential clinical applications, such as ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and respiratory syncytial virus and cidofovir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus and other DNA viruses. Drug resistance is an emerging threat to the clinical utility of antiviral drugs. The major mechanisms for drug resistance are mutations in the viral DNA polymerase gene or in genes that encode for the viral kinases required for the activation of certain drugs such as acyclovir and ganciclovir. Widespread antiviral resistance has limited the clinical utility of M(2) inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of influenza infections. This article provides an overview of clinically available antiviral drugs for the primary care physician, with a special focus on pharmacology, clinical uses, and adverse effects.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adenine; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Comorbidity; Drug Therapy, Combination; Foscarnet; Ganciclovir; Guanine; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Hepatitis C; Herpesviridae Infections; HIV Infections; Humans; Influenza, Human; Interferons; Lamivudine; Nucleosides; Oligopeptides; Organophosphonates; Oseltamivir; Proline; Protease Inhibitors; Pyrimidinones; Ribavirin; Telbivudine; Thymidine; Valacyclovir; Valganciclovir; Valine; Virus Replication; Zanamivir

Topics: Acyclovir; Amantadine; Anti-HIV Agents; Antiviral Agents; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster; HIV Infections; Humans; Influenza, Human; Oseltamivir; Protease Inhibitors; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Topics: Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Cat-Scratch Disease; Child; Encephalitis; Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex; Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated; Enterovirus Infections; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Humans; Influenza, Human; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Prognosis; Rabies; West Nile Fever

An ever-increasing variety of antiviral medications are being used clinically for an array of viral infections ranging from hepatitis to HIV. Some of these medications, such as acyclovir and foscarnet, have significant nephrotoxicity, whereas others are associated only rarely with renal failure. The spectrum of renal lesions associated with antiviral nephrotoxicity suggests that these medications may cause renal failure by affecting tubular cells or glomeruli. In most instances of antiviral-related nephrotoxicity, discontinuation of the offending agent results in a rapid return to normal renal function.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Foscarnet; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Influenza, Human; Interferon Type I; Kidney; Recombinant Proteins; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Influenza, Human; Japan; Male; Pneumonia, Viral; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Virus Diseases

Viral pneumonitides are among the known pulmonary complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis is the most frequently recognized viral infection involving the lung. Although CMV may occasionally be the sole pathogen found to be responsible for severe pneumonitis in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in most cases, its role in causing pulmonary disease is less clear, primarily because of the propensity to infect with a variety of other copathogens. CMV pneumonitis has been difficult to diagnose during life, although techniques utilizing in situ DNA hybridization or monoclonal antibodies for detection of the virus may improve the diagnostic yield of less invasive procedures such as bronchoalveolar lavage. Pneumonitis due to herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster, and respiratory syncytial virus have occasionally been reported in AIDS patients, and are of practical importance because of the availability of effective treatment. The role of influenza and adenoviruses in causing HIV-related pulmonary complications is unknown, but could be of importance during outbreaks of these infections. Finally, data from several studies now suggest that Epstein-Barr virus or HIV itself or both have a role in the pneumonitis. Further study in this area could provide information leading to more effective management of this common complication of childhood AIDS.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Ganciclovir; Herpes Simplex; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Infectious Mononucleosis; Influenza, Human; Pneumonia, Viral; Retroviridae Infections

We have described positive clinical effects of seven different anti-viral drugs in the treatment of viral respiratory diseases; three of these agents are approved for clinical use--amantadine, acyclovir, and vidarabine. Of the remaining four, the most consistent and broadest range of effect was observed with ribavirin while rimantadine was similar to amantadine in its effect. Interferon and enviroxime, under the conditions in which they were tested, showed a range of effect from moderate to no effect. A feature of the use of ribavirin was its administration by inhalation over several hour periods as a small-particle aerosol. This allowed a total dosage not much less than might have been given by other routes, but with the advantage that it was evenly deposited over the surface of the infected respiratory tract beginning within seconds of the start of treatment and reached higher concentration in nasal secretions than in serum. It may be that aerosol administration can be used with other drugs, as suggested by preliminary results with amantadine. We regard the results presented in this chapter as very encouraging, but just a beginning. Effective therapy will set in motion a reexamination of many problems of viral respiratory tract infection, including how to develop more rapid and more precise viral diagnosis, the need for further characterization of both short- and long-term consequences of infection in the untreated host and their modification by treatment. The structure for rapid progress in treatment of viral diseases is in place, and with it should come a resolution of many long-standing problems in this area of medicine.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Amantadine; Animals; Antiviral Agents; Benzimidazoles; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Humans; Influenza, Human; Interferons; Oximes; Pneumonia, Viral; Respiratory Tract Infections; Ribavirin; Rimantadine; Sulfonamides; Vidarabine; Virus Diseases

In summary, there are numerous clinically useful antiviral agents currently available, with many more investigational drugs on the horizon. The future of antiviral chemotherapy looks bright, and the principles behind successful therapy will remain the same. It is hoped that with the advent of effective therapy, improved rapid viral diagnosis and early treatment of patients will be possible to maximize beneficial effects.

Topics: Acyclovir; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Ganciclovir; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Influenza, Human; Interferons; Ribavirin; Rimantadine; Vidarabine

Topics: Acyclovir; Animals; Antiviral Agents; Cricetinae; Cytarabine; Drug Industry; Guinea Pigs; Herpesviridae Infections; History, 20th Century; Humans; Influenza, Human; Macaca mulatta; Methisazone; Mice; Rabbits; Smallpox; Thiosemicarbazones; Trifluridine; Vaccinia virus; Vidarabine

Topics: Acyclovir; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Clinical Trials as Topic; DNA, Viral; Herpesviridae; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Idoxuridine; Influenza A virus; Influenza, Human; Keratitis, Dendritic; RNA, Viral; S-Adenosylhomocysteine; Thymidine Kinase; Trifluridine; Vidarabine; Viral Proteins; Virus Diseases

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Child; Female; Herpes Genitalis; Humans; Idoxuridine; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Influenza, Human; Keratitis, Dendritic; Male; Picornaviridae Infections; Recurrence; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; Respiratory Tract Infections; Respirovirus Infections; Rhinovirus; Ribavirin; Rimantadine; Trifluridine; Vidarabine

Topics: Acyclovir; Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Chickenpox; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Encephalitis; Female; Herpes Genitalis; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Idoxuridine; Influenza, Human; Keratitis, Dendritic; Male; Rimantadine; Vidarabine

A number of antiviral compounds are currently available, and several others are of great interest. Trifluridine, idoxuridine, and vidarabine are effective topically in herpes simplex virus keratoconjunctivitis infection. Vidarabine (and presumably acyclovir) is effective in herpes simplex virus encephalitis and in herpes zoster infections in the immunocompromised host. Acyclovir is effective topically, orally, and intravenously in primary herpes genitalis, and the oral and intravenous forms are effective in recurrent herpes genitalis as well. Amantadine and rimantadine are effective prophylactically and therapeutically in influenza A infections. Ribavirin and interferon, although not licensed, are of great interest. Ribavirin may be useful in respiratory syncytial virus infections, and interferon may be of benefit in common colds and related disorders.

Topics: Acyclovir; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Herpes Genitalis; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Idoxuridine; Influenza, Human; Interferons; Keratitis, Dendritic; Male; Ribavirin; Rimantadine; Trifluridine; Vidarabine

Topics: Acyclovir; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Idoxuridine; Influenza, Human; Trifluridine; Vidarabine; Virus Diseases

We have described positive clinical effects of seven different anti-viral drugs in the treatment of viral respiratory diseases; three of these agents are approved for clinical use--amantadine, acyclovir, and vidarabine. Of the remaining four, the most consistent and broadest range of effect was observed with ribavirin while rimantadine was similar to amantadine in its effect. Interferon and enviroxime, under the conditions in which they were tested, showed a range of effect from moderate to no effect. A feature of the use of ribavirin was its administration by inhalation over several hour periods as a small-particle aerosol. This allowed a total dosage not much less than might have been given by other routes, but with the advantage that it was evenly deposited over the surface of the infected respiratory tract beginning within seconds of the start of treatment and reached higher concentration in nasal secretions than in serum. It may be that aerosol administration can be used with other drugs, as suggested by preliminary results with amantadine. We regard the results presented in this chapter as very encouraging, but just a beginning. Effective therapy will set in motion a reexamination of many problems of viral respiratory tract infection, including how to develop more rapid and more precise viral diagnosis, the need for further characterization of both short- and long-term consequences of infection in the untreated host and their modification by treatment. The structure for rapid progress in treatment of viral diseases is in place, and with it should come a resolution of many long-standing problems in this area of medicine.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Amantadine; Animals; Antiviral Agents; Benzimidazoles; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Humans; Influenza, Human; Interferons; Oximes; Pneumonia, Viral; Respiratory Tract Infections; Ribavirin; Rimantadine; Sulfonamides; Vidarabine; Virus Diseases

Antiviral compounds have been developed for use in chemoprophylaxis and chemotherapy of a variety of infections in humans, including those caused by influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and herpesviruses. The efficacy of several of these compounds has been demonstrated in rigorously controlled trials. Advances in molecular virology have led to the identification of biochemically defined, virus-specific functions that serve as appropriate targets for the future development of antiviral compounds. Clinical investigators and practicing physicians are now confronting questions previously raised with the use of antibacterial antibiotics. These questions concern appropriate routes of administration for antiviral compounds, optimal dosage regimens, risks of long-term prophylaxis, and the emergence of resistant organisms.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Aged; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Chickenpox; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cytomegalovirus; Encephalitis; Foscarnet; Guanosine Triphosphate; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Influenza A virus; Influenza, Human; Phosphonoacetic Acid; Respiratory Tract Infections; Ribavirin; Rimantadine; Vidarabine; Virus Diseases

Topics: Acyclovir; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Clinical Trials as Topic; DNA, Viral; Herpesviridae; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Idoxuridine; Influenza A virus; Influenza, Human; Keratitis, Dendritic; RNA, Viral; S-Adenosylhomocysteine; Thymidine Kinase; Trifluridine; Vidarabine; Viral Proteins; Virus Diseases

Topics: Acyclovir; Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Chickenpox; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Encephalitis; Female; Herpes Genitalis; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Idoxuridine; Influenza, Human; Keratitis, Dendritic; Male; Rimantadine; Vidarabine

A number of antiviral compounds are currently available, and several others are of great interest. Trifluridine, idoxuridine, and vidarabine are effective topically in herpes simplex virus keratoconjunctivitis infection. Vidarabine (and presumably acyclovir) is effective in herpes simplex virus encephalitis and in herpes zoster infections in the immunocompromised host. Acyclovir is effective topically, orally, and intravenously in primary herpes genitalis, and the oral and intravenous forms are effective in recurrent herpes genitalis as well. Amantadine and rimantadine are effective prophylactically and therapeutically in influenza A infections. Ribavirin and interferon, although not licensed, are of great interest. Ribavirin may be useful in respiratory syncytial virus infections, and interferon may be of benefit in common colds and related disorders.

Topics: Acyclovir; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Herpes Genitalis; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Idoxuridine; Influenza, Human; Interferons; Keratitis, Dendritic; Male; Ribavirin; Rimantadine; Trifluridine; Vidarabine

Topics: Acyclovir; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antiviral Agents; Brain Diseases; Cefotaxime; Corpus Callosum; Diagnosis, Differential; Encephalitis; Humans; Influenza, Human; Male; Middle Aged

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a severe neurologic complication caused by influenza virus that has been infrequently reported in adult population. The diagnosis is made on epidemiological, clinical, and neuroimaging suspicion, but is rarely confirmed by microbiological findings in samples from the central nervous system (CNS), thus making it difficult to define the mechanism of pathogenesis of influenza-associated encephalitis/encephalopathies (IAE). We report a microbiologically documented case of ANE caused by influenza A/H3N2, in a previously healthy adult patient infected during a flu epidemic in Asturias (Spain). Direct viral invasion of the CNS was demonstrated with the isolation of the virus in a brain biopsy.

Topics: Acyclovir; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antiviral Agents; Brain; Dexamethasone; Encephalitis, Viral; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Immunocompetence; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Male; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Failure

Patients with vulval aphthae, also termed Lipschütz ulcers, often present to genitourinary medicine clinics. Typically, these ulcers present as acute, painful, vulval ulcers in young women and adolescents. The aetiology is unknown, and often these ulcers are accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Previous case reports have linked such lesions to acute viral infections such as Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus and influenza A. We report the first case of influenza B virus and adenovirus infections associated with this presentation.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adolescent; Antiviral Agents; Female; Humans; Influenza B virus; Influenza, Human; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Skin Ulcer; Treatment Outcome; Ulcer; Vulvar Diseases

In Western populations, especially in France, most severe influenza cases are observed in adults. Some cases are also recorded in children, especially influenza-associated encephalitis. This is contrary to what occurs in Japan where influenza-associated encephalitis is frequent and severe in children. We describe three cases of influenza-associated encephalitis in children who were hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) during the winter of 2012-2013. The patients did not necessarily show the usual symptoms of influenza and were admitted to the PICU because of their severe neurological symptoms. Two children showed multiple-organ failure, as in the cases reported in Japan. The outcomes ranged from small residual signs to death. These cases remind us that the severe influenza complications that are common in Japan are also seen in France.

Topics: Acyclovir; Brain; Brain Death; Brain Edema; Child, Preschool; Combined Modality Therapy; Electroencephalography; Encephalitis, Viral; Fatal Outcome; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain; Infant; Influenza A virus; Influenza B virus; Influenza, Human; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neurologic Examination; Recurrence; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Because pregnancy suppresses the immune system, women at any stage of pregnancy are more susceptible to bacterial and viral infection. Pregnant women might thus be at increased risk of complications from pandemic H1N1 virus infection, and illness may progress rapidly.. A 23-year-old primigravida at 9 weeks' gestation was presented to our institution because of the sudden onset of sore throat, fever, chills, and vomiting for 5 days. She was diagnosed with early pregnancy H1N1 infection, vulvar herpes infection, and impending intravascular disseminated coagulopathy. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) 75 mg and valacyclovir 500 mg were then administered orally twice daily for 5 days. The patient's fever, chills, and vomiting subsided 2 days later. The real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of nasal discharge for influenza virus types A and B showed positive results for the A/H1N1 influenza virus. The early pregnancy was terminated by therapeutic curettage at the patient's request. The surgical specimen revealed products of conception with the presence of necrotic chorionic villi, and focal lymphocytes in decidual tissue. RT-PCR analysis of gestational tissue for A/H1N1 was negative.. Pregnant women with H1N1 infection seem to benefit from antiviral therapy.

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Acyclovir; Adult; Antiviral Agents; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Female; Herpes Genitalis; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Oseltamivir; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Valacyclovir; Valine; Young Adult

Severe neurologic complications have been rarely reported during novel pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus infections. We describe the case of an 10-year-old boy with new onset seizures and proven influenza A(H1N1) 2009 infection showing a reversible hyperintense lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum on T2-weighted and FLAIR magnetic resonance images without contrast enhancement. Transient splenial lesions have been described in the context of virus encephalopathy and do not require specific treatment.

Topics: Acyclovir; Anticonvulsants; Antiviral Agents; Child; Corpus Callosum; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Drug Therapy, Combination; Encephalitis, Viral; Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Image Enhancement; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Levetiracetam; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Oseltamivir; Pandemics; Piracetam; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

In vitro activity of interferon-alpha-2b in combination with various antioxidants against the influenza virus and Herpes simplex was studied. The standard strains and a clinical strain of Herpes simplex isolated from a patient with resistance to acyclovir were used. The in vitro studie showed that antioxidants, such as alpho-tocoferol acetate (vitamin E), Unithiol and ascorbic acid had a significant antiinfluenzae and antiherpetic action on the influenza virus A/H5N1 and Herpes simplex variants. They protected up to 100% of the cell monolayer from the virus cytopathic effect. The taurin solutions had no antiviral activity irrespective of the infection dose. Combinations of interferon-alpha-2b with alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), Unithiol or ascorbic acid showed a significant synergistic effect: the antiviral activity of interferon increased several times. The antiinfluenza activity of interferon-a-2b in the presence of various concentrations of taurin did not change.

Topics: Acyclovir; alpha-Tocopherol; Animals; Antioxidants; Antiviral Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Cell Line; Chlorocebus aethiops; Drug Synergism; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Interferon alpha-2; Interferon-alpha; Kidney; Lung; Recombinant Proteins; Simplexvirus; Swine; Taurine; Unithiol; Vero Cells

We describe a rare case of Influenza B-associated encephalopathy with hemorrhagic lesions of the corpus callosum. A 12-year-old Caucasian girl presented a 24-h fever followed by partial seizure, secondarily generalized, and disturbance of consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging on Day 2 of her illness showed two hemorrhagic lesions of the corpus callosum. The Influenza B virus was found on nasopharyngeal swab. Neurologic signs had completely recovered by Day 3. A review of the literature identified a few similar cases; the common features include a relatively older age and prompt and complete recovery from clinical symptoms. This is the first report to describe hemorrhagic lesions of the corpus callosum in influenza.

Topics: Acyclovir; Anticonvulsants; Antiviral Agents; Child; Clonazepam; Corpus Callosum; Encephalitis, Viral; Female; Humans; Influenza B virus; Influenza, Human; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neurologic Examination; Seizures, Febrile

Since the outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1) in 2009, various neurological complications have been cited. We described a male patient with H1N1-associated encephalopathy/encephalitis presenting with severe neurological symptoms and signs. Residual neurological sequelae were dominant. This is the first report of extensive cortical-subcortical necroses over the bilateral frontal-parietal areas based on an MRI study.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antiviral Agents; Brain; Cerebral Angiography; Electroencephalography; Encephalitis; Hemiplegia; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Muscle Rigidity; Nervous System Diseases; Oseltamivir; Propofol; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tremor

Topics: 2-Aminopurine; Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Drug Resistance, Viral; Famciclovir; Guanine; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Influenza, Human; Valacyclovir; Valine; Virus Diseases

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Antiviral Agents; Chickenpox; Chickenpox Vaccine; Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Herpes Genitalis; Herpes Zoster; HIV Infections; Humans; Infant; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Male; Public Health; Vaccination; Valacyclovir; Valine

Topics: 2-Aminopurine; Acyclovir; Administration, Oral; Administration, Topical; Amantadine; Animals; Antiviral Agents; Cidofovir; Cytosine; Famciclovir; Foscarnet; Guanine; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Influenza, Human; Injections, Intravenous; Lamivudine; Organophosphonates; Organophosphorus Compounds; Rats; Ribavirin; Rimantadine; Thionucleotides; Trifluridine; Valacyclovir; Valine

Amantadine is well established as the preferred antiviral agent for the prophylaxis of influenza A and may also be beneficial therapeutically when used early in the course of the disease. Idoxuridine is applicable only in the treatment of herpetic keratitis. Currently, acyclovir is the most effective agent for the treatment of herpes simplex and varicella-zoster virus infections. Ribavirin has recently been released for use in aerosol form for severe respiratory syncytial virus infections that occur in infants and young children. Vidarabine, which previously was the drug of choice in the treatment of severe herpetic infections, has now been replaced by the more effective acyclovir. Ganciclovir, an experimental agent, has shown promise against cytomegalovirus infections in patients who have undergone kidney or liver transplantation, but its effects are only temporary in patients who have undergone bone marrow transplantation and patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who have cytomegalovirus infections.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Acyclovir; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Ganciclovir; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Idoxuridine; Influenza A virus; Influenza, Human; Ribavirin; Rimantadine; Thymidine; Vidarabine; Viruses; Zidovudine

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Acyclovir; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Chickenpox; Common Cold; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster; Herpesviridae Infections; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Influenza, Human; Interferons; Ribavirin; Rimantadine; Thymidine; Vidarabine; Virus Diseases; Zidovudine

Six cases of severe encephalitis due to measles, varicellae, mononucleosis, influenza, rubella and pertussis were treated with high doses of barbiturates in combination with steroids and artificial hyperventilation. Four of the patients also received antiviral therapy. They all survived without neurological sequelae. The use of barbiturates in high doses may be of importance for an improved outcome in patients with severe encephalitis.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Chickenpox; Child; Combined Modality Therapy; Dexamethasone; Encephalitis; Female; Humans; Infant; Infectious Mononucleosis; Influenza, Human; Male; Measles; Middle Aged; Phenobarbital; Respiration, Artificial; Whooping Cough

Topics: Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Female; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Idoxuridine; Influenza, Human; Vidarabine

Topics: Acyclovir; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Bromodeoxyuridine; Foscarnet; Guanine; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Influenza, Human; Phosphonoacetic Acid; Vidarabine

Topics: Acyclovir; Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Guanine; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Influenza, Human; Vidarabine