ascorbic-acid and Herpes-Zoster

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute inflammatory neurocutaneous disease caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus. It is estimated that the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia following HZ is 10-20%. The leading risk factors of the prognosis are aging and immunity dysfunction. Vitamin C plays a pivoted role in enhancing white blood cell function. Epidemiological evidence and clinical studies have indicated an association between pain and suboptimal vitamin C status. At present, vitamin C has been used as an additional option in the treatment of HZ-associated pain. Despite the current controversy, case reports and randomized controlled studies have indicated that both acute- and postherpetic neuralgia can be dramatically alleviated following intravenous vitamin C infusions.. The use of vitamin C appears to be an emerging treatment alternative for attenuating HZ and PHN pain. Hence, we recommend the addition of concomitant use of intravenously administered vitamin C into therapeutic strategies in the treatment of HZ-associated pain, especially for therapy-resistant cases. Furthermore, animal studies are required to determine analgesic mechanisms of vitamin C, and more randomized clinical trials are essential to further determine the optimal dose and timing of administration of vitamin C.

Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Herpes Zoster; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Neuralgia, Postherpetic

Topics: Amantadine; Antiviral Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Dosage Forms; Drug Evaluation; Encephalitis; Hepatitis; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Idoxuridine; Influenza, Human; Inosine Pranobex; Interferons; Levamisole; Rimantadine; Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis; Trifluridine; Virus Diseases

Vitamin C is an immune-relevant micronutrient, which is depleted in viral infections and this deficiency seems to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of herpes infections and in the development of postherpetic neuralgia. The objective of this observational multicenter study was to evaluate the utilization, safety and efficacy of intravenously administrated vitamin C in patients with shingles.. Between April 2009 and December 2010 16 general practitioners recorded data of 67 participants with symptomatic herpes zoster who received vitamin C intravenously (Pascorbin® 7.5 g/50 ml) for approximately 2 weeks in addition to standard treatment. The assessment of pain (VAS) and the dermatologic symptoms of shingles such as hemorrhagic lesions and the number of efflorescences were investigated in a follow-up observation phase of up to 12 weeks.. Mean declines of pain scores (VAS), number of affected dermatomes and efflorescences, and the presence of hemorrhagic vesicles between the baseline and follow-up assessments at 2 and 12 weeks were statistically significant. Overall, 6.4% of the participants experienced post-herpetic neuralgia. Common complaints such as general fatigue and impaired concentration also improved during the study. The effects and the tolerability of the treatment were evaluated positively by the physicians. The risk of developing PHN was reduced.. The data presented here provide evidence that concomitant use of intravenously administered ascorbic acid may have beneficial effects on herpes zoster-associated pain, dermatologic findings and accompanying common complaints. To confirm our findings, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies are necessary.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Attention; Fatigue; Female; Hemorrhage; Herpes Zoster; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged; Pain Measurement; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome

A 65-year-old Japanese woman developed vesicular eruptions on her right ear due to varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation, followed by cranial polyneuritis and meningitis affecting her right cranial nerves V, VII, VIII, IX, and X. After acyclovir administration, her facial paralysis worsened. Intravenous methylprednisolone and vitamin C were administered on Day 4 post-admission. Her symptoms steadily improved, and by Day 45 she had fully recovered. Cranial polyneuritis is a rare complication of VZV reactivation, and there is no established method of treatment. This is the first report of full recovery from cranial polyneuritis using intravenous vitamin C as ancillary treatment.

Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Cranial Nerves; Female; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Meningitis; Middle Aged; Neuritis

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Cantharidin; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Male; Phytotherapy

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Eczema; Family Practice; Female; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Male; Orthomolecular Therapy

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anemia; Ascorbic Acid; Cachexia; Child; Female; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Liver Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Neuralgia; Neuritis; Vascular Diseases; Vitamin B Complex

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Keratitis; Keratitis, Herpetic; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Herpes Zoster; Herpesviridae Infections; Humans; Vitamins