acyclovir and Oral-Ulcer

Behçet's disease is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis that can affect multiple systems. Mucocutaneous involvement is common, as is the involvement of many other systems such as the central nervous system and skin. Behç̧et's disease can cause significant morbidity, such as loss of sight, and can be life threatening. The frequency of oral ulceration in Behçet's disease is thought to be 97% to 100%. The presence of mouth ulcers can cause difficulties in eating, drinking, and speaking leading to a reduction in quality of life. There is no cure for Behçet's disease and therefore treatment of the oral ulcers that are associated with Behçet's disease is palliative.. To determine the clinical effectiveness and safety of interventions on the pain, episode duration, and episode frequency of oral ulcers and on quality of life for patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS)-type ulceration associated with Behçet's disease.. We undertook electronic searches of the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register (to 4 October 2013); the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2013, Issue 9); MEDLINE via Ovid (1946 to 4 October 2013); EMBASE via Ovid (1980 to 4 October 2013); CINAHL via EBSCO (1980 to 4 October 2013); and AMED via Ovid (1985 to 4 October 2013). We searched the US National Institutes of Health trials register (http://clinicaltrials.gov) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Clinical Trials Registry Platform for ongoing trials. There were no restrictions on language or date of publication in the searches of the electronic databases. We contacted authors when necessary to obtain additional information.. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that looked at pre-specified oral outcome measures to assess the efficacy of interventions for mouth ulcers in Behçet's disease. The oral outcome measures included pain, episode duration, episode frequency, safety, and quality of life. Trials were not restricted by outcomes alone.. All studies meeting the inclusion criteria underwent data extraction and an assessment of risk of bias, independently by two review authors and using a pre-standardised data extraction form. We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration.. A total of 15 trials (n = 888 randomised participants) were included, 13 were placebo controlled and three were head to head (two trials had more than two treatment arms). Eleven of the trials were conducted in Turkey, two in Japan, one in Iran and one in the UK. Most trials used the International Study Group criteria for Behçet's disease. Eleven different interventions were assessed. The interventions were grouped into two categories, topical and systemic. Only one study was assessed as being at low risk of bias. It was not possible to carry out a meta-analysis. The quality of the evidence ranged from moderate to very low and there was insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of any included intervention with regard to pain, episode duration, or episode frequency associated with oral ulcers, or safety of the interventions.. Due to the heterogeneity of trials including trial design, choice of intervention, choice and timing of outcome measures, it was not possible to carry out a meta-analysis. Several interventions show promise and future trials should be planned and reported according to the CONSORT guidelines. Whilst the primary aim of many trials for Behç̧et's disease is not necessarily reduction of oral ulceration, reporting of oral ulcers in these studies should be standardised and pre-specified in the methodology. The use of a core outcome set for oral ulcer trials would be beneficial.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Alanine; Behcet Syndrome; Colchicine; Cyclosporine; Etanercept; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Interferon-alpha; Oral Ulcer; Quinolones; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; Stomatitis, Aphthous; Sucralfate; Thalidomide

Antiviral prophylaxis is commonly prescribed to haematological cancer patients. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify its overall benefit in specific clinical scenarios.. Randomised controlled trials assessing antiviral prophylaxis versus placebo, no treatment, pre-emptive treatment or another antiviral drug were included. Patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or intensive chemotherapy for acute leukaemia or high-grade lymphoma were included. No restrictions on language, year or publication status were applied. Overall mortality, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) diseases were assessed as primary outcomes. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and numbers needed to treat (NNT) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported.. HSCT was the condition assessed in 22 trials and intensive chemotherapy in 5 trials. In the pre-engraftment setting of autologous or allogeneic HSCT, antiviral prophylaxis (mainly acyclovir for HSV seropositive recipients) significantly reduced HSV (NNT 2, 2-2, control event rate (CER) 61.9%) and CMV disease, with no effect on overall mortality. In the allogeneic post-engraftment setting (mainly CMV-seropositive recipients/donors), antiviral prophylaxis resulted in a significant reduction in overall mortality, RR 0.79 (0.65-0.95), NNT 12 (7-50, CER 39.4%) and all viral-related outcomes. In this setting, acyclovir significantly reduced overall mortality (RR 0.71, 0.53-0.96, 4 trials) and ganciclovir/maribavir significantly reduced CMV disease (RR 0.26, 0.14-0.48, 5 trials). During chemotherapy, acyclovir significantly decreased HSV disease (NNT 3, 2-4, CER 37.4%) and infection rates, with no effect on mortality.. Antiviral prophylaxis reduced mortality with a small NNT in the post-engraftment setting of allogeneic HSCT. In the pre-engraftment phase and during chemotherapy only viral-related morbidity was reduced.

Topics: Acyclovir; Antineoplastic Agents; Antiviral Agents; Benzimidazoles; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Ganciclovir; Hematologic Neoplasms; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Oral Ulcer; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Ribonucleosides; Treatment Outcome

Viral lesions of the mouth in patients with HIV infection are common and these diseases any be a marker for HIV and disease progression. We review the spectrum of oral viral manifestations and discuss treatment modalities. The most common Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced disorder in HIV-infected patients is oral hairy leukoplakia. EBV-related oral B-cell and T-cell lymphoma in AIDS patients has been described repeatedly. Herpes virus type 1 and rarely type 2 may lead to painful and resistant oral ulcers, and systemic treatment with acyclovir, valaciclovir or famciclovir is indicated. In acyclovir-resistant cases foscarnet is the treatment of choice. In recent years it has been documented that Kaposi's sarcoma, which often affects oral mucosa, is probably induced by herpesvirus type 8. Cytomegalovirus was found in 53% of cases with herpesviridae-induced mucosal ulcers as the only ulcerogenic viral agent in AIDS patients. In severe cytomegalovirus infection treatment with ganciclovir is helpful. Viral warts induced by different HPV may occur in the mouth. Several physical treatment modalities are possible in the oral mucosa. In AIDS patients mollusca contagiosa may occur as large and atypical lesions in the face and lips and rarely in the oral cavity. Cryotherapy is a bloodless treatment in such patients.

Topics: 2-Aminopurine; Acyclovir; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Anti-HIV Agents; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Disease Progression; Famciclovir; Foscarnet; Ganciclovir; Herpesviridae Infections; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Herpesvirus 8, Human; Humans; Leukoplakia, Hairy; Lymphoma, B-Cell; Lymphoma, T-Cell; Molluscum Contagiosum; Mouth Diseases; Mouth Neoplasms; Oral Ulcer; Prodrugs; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Tumor Virus Infections; Valacyclovir; Valine; Virus Diseases; Warts

Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a rare complication of herpes zoster in which reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection occurs in the geniculate ganglion. Major clinical findings are peripheral facial nerve palsy accompanied by ipsilateral ear pain and erythematous vesicular rash on the external ear (herpes zoster oticus) and in the mouth. Thus, diagnosis of RHS is usually clinical. However, auricular herpetic eruption is not always present, making diagnosis more difficult. This report describes a case of RHS with left facial palsy without skin lesions in 60-year-old woman. Multiple ulcers were found on her left soft palate. Polymerase chain reaction analysis on oral mucosa biopsy samples and serologic assays allowed the identification of VZV as the causal agent. Knowledge of the anatomy of the facial nerve is important for oral and maxillofacial surgeons when dealing with patients with RHS, especially in unusual and clinically misleading forms of this syndrome.

Topics: Acute Disease; Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Female; Glucocorticoids; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Humans; Middle Aged; Oral Ulcer; Palate, Soft; Parkinsonian Disorders; Prednisolone; Valacyclovir; Valine

Topics: Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Erythema Multiforme; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Hand; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Male; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Oral Ulcer; Simplexvirus; Valacyclovir; Valine; Young Adult

Topics: Acyclovir; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antiviral Agents; Bell Palsy; DNA, Viral; Female; Herpes Zoster Oticus; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Humans; Middle Aged; Oral Ulcer; Palate, Soft; Prednisone

Hydroa vacciniforme is a rare, usually quite severe, photo-dermatosis. Association with Epstein-Barr virus infection and a possibly increased risk of lymphoproliferative malignancy have been demonstrated. We describe here four patients with Epstein-Barr virus-associated hydroa vacciniforme treated with acyclovir/valacyclovir therapy with a good clinical response. The children were reported to have less fatigue, fewer eruptions, less scarring, and increased ability to spend time outdoors without provoking new eruptions. This was also in agreement with clinical observations. However, one patient progressed into an anaplastic lymphoma kinase-1-negative anaplastic large-cell lymphoma in the upper jaw. This was preceded by an increase in EBV viral load. Acyclovir/valacyclovir therapy is a safe treatment. Further studies are required to confirm these results.

Topics: Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; DNA, Viral; Drug Therapy, Combination; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Female; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Hydroa Vacciniforme; Jaw Diseases; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Male; Oral Ulcer; Valacyclovir; Valine

The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection in mucositis during head and neck cancer radiotherapy.. Sixty patients with malignant head and neck tumor, eligible to receive radiotherapy, who were referred to the Dental Oncology Unit, entered the study. Sixteen patients (26.6%) received concomitant chemotherapy. Mucositis was recorded weekly. Smears taken from the ulcers of mucositis grade 2, or 3, or 4 were stained with Papanicolaou and alkaline phosphatase/antialkaline phosphatase immunocytochemical method to identify HSV-1.. Forty-eight of all 60 patients developed ulcerative mucositis. Smear was available from 29 of 48 patients with ulcerations. HSV-1 infection was identified in 14 of 29 smears available (48.2%). Mucositis healed or was reduced after 1 week of antiviral treatment in 11 of those 14 HSV-1-positive patients; 3 patients responded to 1 g/day of valacyclovir, 7-2 g/day, and 1 patient responded to i.v. acyclovir. Ulcerations recurred after quitting antivirals. Three patients did not respond to 1 g/day of valacyclovir. No HSV-1-negative patient responded to acyclovir (P = 0.000).. HSV-1 was isolated from 14 of 29 available smears taken from 48 patients with ulcerative mucositis. The incidence of HSV-1 infection during radiotherapy was estimated as being 14 of all 48 patients at risk (29.1%). Healing or reduction in the grade of mucositis after antivirals in HSV-1 positive patients, combined with the negative response to antivirals in HSV-1 negative patients, denoted that HSV-1 infection was a component of ulcerative radiation mucositis in those HSV-1-positive patients.

Topics: Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced; Acyclovir; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antiviral Agents; Candidiasis, Oral; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Herpes Simplex; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Oral Ulcer; Radiotherapy; Recurrence; Stomatitis; Treatment Outcome; Valacyclovir; Valine

Topics: Acyclovir; Administration, Oral; Antiviral Agents; Erythema Multiforme; Female; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Middle Aged; Oral Ulcer; Recurrence; Treatment Outcome

Erythema multiforme (EM) is a complex disease that may have cutaneous and/or mucosal involvement. The severity may range from mild to severe and potentially life threatening. The literature cites many factors including viruses, infections, and medications as causes. This report documents a patient who developed EM secondary to a herpes simplex viral (HSV) infection.. Two weeks following an eruption of herpes labialis, a 20-year-old white female patient developed acutely painful oral and labial ulcers accompanied by target skin lesions. A diagnosis of erythema multiforme (EM) was made. The patient was treated with antivirals, analgesics, and symptomatic therapy.. Nine days after the onset of symptoms, the oral and cutaneous lesions had started to heal and the patient no longer required pain medication.. Although the etiology of EM is still often unknown, infections with herpes simplex virus have been implicated as a possible precipitating factor. This case illustrates the association of the occurrence of EM with an HSV infection.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Analgesics; Antiviral Agents; Erythema Multiforme; Female; Gingival Diseases; Herpes Labialis; Humans; Lip Diseases; Oral Ulcer; Recurrence; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Wound Healing

Intraoral herpes simplex virus infection is commonly mistaken for recurrent aphthous stomatitis. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical features of intraoral herpes simplex virus infection.. Fifty-two immunocompetent patients with culture-positive intraoral herpes simplex virus infection were studied.. The median age of the patients was 42 years. One third of the patients exhibited single ulcers; the remaining patients displayed multiple lesions. In 47 of 52 cases, the ulcers occurred on keratinized surfaces of the oral cavity; however, 5 patients had persistent ulcerations on nonkeratinized mucosa, a typical feature of herpetic ulcers in immunosuppressed patients. Of 27 patients with histories of recurrences, 22 were previously incorrectly diagnosed with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.. Herpes simplex virus infection of the oral cavity can usually be differentiated from other causes of recurrent oral ulcerations on the basis of its clinical appearance and distribution. The recognition of atypical features may prevent unnecessary and costly treatments for unrelated though clinically similar-appearing disorders.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antiviral Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Immunocompetence; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Mucosa; Oral Ulcer; Recurrence; Simplexvirus; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Virus Cultivation