valacyclovir and Stomatitis--Herpetic

Oral and perioral herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections in healthy individuals often present with signs and symptoms that are clearly recognized by oral health care providers (OHCPs). Management of these infections is dependent upon a variety of factors and several agents may be used for treatment to accelerate healing and decrease symptoms associated with lesions. This article will review the pertinent aspects of topical and systemic therapies of HSV infections for the OHCP.

Topics: 2-Aminopurine; Acyclovir; Administration, Oral; Administration, Topical; Antiviral Agents; Famciclovir; Humans; Palliative Care; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Valacyclovir; Valine

Treatment of cancer is increasingly effective, but associated with oral complications such as mucositis, fungal infections, bacterial infections and viral infections such as the herpes simplex virus (HSV).. To examine the effects of interventions for the prevention or treatment or both, of herpes simplex virus in patients receiving treatment for cancer.. We searched the following databases: Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CANCERLIT, SIGLE and LILACS. The reference list of all related review articles and articles considered to be potentially relevant were checked for further trials. Authors of identified trials and known specialists in the field were also contacted in an attempt to identify any additional published or unpublished trials. Date of most recent search: November 2008.. All randomised controlled trials comparing interventions for the prevention or treatment or both of HSV infection in people being treated for cancer. Outcomes were presence/absence of clinical/culture positive HSV infections (prevention), time to complete healing of lesions (treatment), duration of viral shedding, recurrence of lesions, relief of pain, amount of analgesia, duration of hospital stay, cost of oral care, patient quality of life and adverse effects.. Data were independently extracted, in duplicate, by two review authors. Authors were contacted for details of randomisation, blindness and sample demographics where necessary. Quality assessment was carried out on randomisation, blindness, withdrawals and selective reporting. The Cochrane Collaboration's statistical guidelines were followed and risk ratio (RR) values were calculated using random-effects models.. Seventeen trials satisfied the inclusion criteria. Four trials evaluated preventative interventions for HSV lesions, three trials for viral isolates, and eight trials evaluated both outcome measures. A single trial reported on the cost of prophylaxis for HSV. Two trials evaluating treatment reported on time to healing, duration of viral shedding and relief of pain. No trials reported on duration of hospital stay, amount of analgesia or patient quality of life.In placebo controlled trials, aciclovir was found to be effective for the prevention of HSV infections as measured by oral lesions or viral isolates (RR = 0.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08 to 0.31 nine trials; RR = 0.17, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.37 nine trials). There is no evidence that valaciclovir is more efficacious than aciclovir, or that higher doses of valaciclovir are more effective than lower doses. Placebo was found to be more effective than prostaglandin E for prevention of viral isolates (RR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.14 one trial).Aciclovir was also found to be effective for the treatment of HSV in terms of duration of viral shedding (median of 2.5 days versus 17.0 days, P = 0.0002; 2 days compared to more than 9, P = 0.0008), time to first decrease in pain (median 3 days compared to 16, P = 0.04), complete resolution of pain (9.9 days compared to 13.6 days, P = 0.01; median of 6 days compared to 16, P = 0.05), 50% healing (median of 6 days compared to 11, P = 0.01) and total healing (median 13.9 days compared to 20.7 days, P = 0.08; median of 8 days compared to 21, P = 0.0).. There is evidence that aciclovir is efficacious in the prevention and treatment of herpes simplex virus infections. There is no evidence that valaciclovir is more efficacious than aciclovir, or that a high dose of valaciclovir is better than a low dose of valaciclovir. There is evidence that as a prophylaxis, placebo is more efficacious than prostaglandin E. However, in all included trials, risk of bias is unclear.

Topics: Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Herpes Labialis; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Neoplasms; Prostaglandins E; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Simplexvirus; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Valacyclovir; Valine

General treatments for immunocompetent individuals with herpes simplex infections are based on the use of antiviral agents which constitute the only treatment with proven efficacy. Antivirals were developed in the 1980s with aciclovir (ACV) as the leading compound and have greatly changed management. However, once the virus has penetrated the organism, it cannot be eradicated, neither by the immune system nor by antiviral agents. This viral resistance is basically related to its capacity to maintain itself in a latent form in the sensorial ganglions. ACV is the first line treatment, used since the 1980s; other antiviral agents are also available.

Topics: Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Drug Therapy, Combination; Herpes Genitalis; Herpes Labialis; Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccines; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Humans; Interferon-alpha; Secondary Prevention; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Valacyclovir; Valine

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

Oral herpes simplex virus, or HSV, infections recur after trauma and stress. The prevalence of these infections after dental procedures is not known. Also, it is unclear whether antiviral agents are effective in preventing dental procedure-induced HSV recurrences. This study determined the efficacy and safety of oral valacyclovir in suppressing dentally related cold sore outbreak and HSV shedding.. The authors enrolled 125 otherwise healthy HSV-seropositive adults who reported having recurrent herpes labialis (more than one episode per year and at least one episode in the previous year) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study and gave them valacyclovir prophylactically (2 grams taken twice on the day of dental treatment and 1 g taken twice the next day) or a matching placebo. To detect the presence of the virus, the authors used clinical examinations, viral cultures and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of saliva.. During the one-week observation period after treatment, there were more clinical lesions (20.6 percent versus 11.3 percent), more HSV-1-positive culture specimens (7.9 percent versus 1.6 percent) and more HSV-1-positive saliva specimens (7.9 percent versus 4.0 percent) in placebo than in valacyclovir-treated patients, respectively. The percentage of patients who developed recurrences and shed HSV-1 in saliva 72 hours after dental procedures was significantly smaller in the valacyclovir group than in the placebo group (11.3 percent versus 27 percent; P = .026). The mean time to pain cessation was significantly less in the valacyclovir group (3.2 days) than in the placebo group (6.2 days) (P = .006).. HSV recrudescence after routine dental treatment is suppressed by valacyclovir prophylaxis.. HSV recrudescence is common after routine dental treatment. Clinicians should consider antiviral therapy for patients at risk of experiencing a recurrence, as well as to minimize transmission of the disease.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antiviral Agents; Child; Dental Care; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Herpes Labialis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Placebos; Premedication; Prodrugs; Prospective Studies; Recurrence; Saliva; Simplexvirus; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Treatment Outcome; Valacyclovir; Valine; Virus Shedding

We report a challenging case of an atypical presentation of recrudescent herpes simplex virus infection in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency. Oral infections in immunosuppressed patients may present with unusual clinical features that can mimic non-infectious diseases. This report discusses the diagnostic steps necessary for definitive diagnosis and to guide appropriate and effective management.

Topics: Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Common Variable Immunodeficiency; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Lichen Planus, Oral; Middle Aged; Opportunistic Infections; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Valacyclovir; Valine

Topics: Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Humans; Palate, Hard; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Valacyclovir; Valine; Young Adult

The tongue is a common location for Horton necrotic injuries. But some herpetic lesions can show similar symptoms to the disease and complicate the diagnosis.. A 67-year-old woman, treated by corticosteroids for Horton disease, presented a central, deep, and very painful ulceration of the tongue. The spreading of necrosis despite treatment was an indication for biopsy, giving the diagnosis of herpetic infection. Valacyclovir was efficient within 15 days.. This necrotic injury looks like herpetic stomatitis presented by severely immunodeficient AIDS patients. No case under corticosteroids had been described so far. The tongue-limited location is exceptional.

Topics: Acyclovir; Aged; Antiviral Agents; Female; Giant Cell Arteritis; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Necrosis; Prednisone; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Tongue Diseases; Valacyclovir; Valine

Tissue-destructive and more selective cytotoxic therapies are the main methods used to treat actinic cheilitis. A topical immune stimulant, 5% imiquimod cream, has recently been used for treatment of cutaneous epithelial malignancies including squamous cell carcinoma in situ and basal cell carcinoma.. Our aim was to review the results in patients who had been treated for actinic cheilitis with imiquimod cream.. A review identified 15 patients with biopsy-proven actinic cheilitis who had been treated with topical imiquimod 3 times weekly for 4 to 6 weeks. All patients with histories consistent with facial herpes simplex or documented prior facial herpes simplex eruptions were treated with oral valcyclovir, 1 g/d, during imiquimod therapy.. All 15 patients showed clinical clearing of their actinic cheilitis at 4 weeks after discontinuation of the topical imiquimod. Sixty percent of the patients experienced a moderate to marked increased local reaction consisting of increased erythema, induration, and erosions or ulcerations, which in some cases continued through the period of therapy.. Imiquimod appears to have a role in the treatment of actinic cheilitis. However, the dose and duration of therapy, as well as the long-term efficacy, need to be established; and local reactions are to be expected and may not improve during therapy.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aminoquinolines; Antiviral Agents; Cheilitis; Female; Humans; Imiquimod; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Valacyclovir; Valine

To present to general dentists the typical signs and symptoms associated with adult acute (primary) herpetic gingivostomatitis. The pertinent laboratory tests, management options and current pharmacotherapy are also reviewed. REVIEW DESIGN: The clinical files of 13 adult patients were reviewed. All had no history of herpes simplex virus infection and presented with oral lesions suggestive of primary herpetic infection. The subjects were all patients of one of the investigators, and their workup included Tzanck testing and viral culture.. The patients ranged in age from 18 to 79 (mean 37.2, standard deviation 19.6) years. Nine (69%) were men. Viral culture was confirmed as the gold standard for diagnosis. The sensitivity of Tzanck testing was 77% (10/13), slightly higher than that reported previously (40% to 50%). In this patient group the febrile lymphadenopathic profile was typical of younger patients (18 to 42 years of age), whereas older patients presented with predominantly oral symptoms.. Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis is not limited to children but can affect people of any age. Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential, particularly in elderly and immunocompromised patients. Tzanck testing may serve as a useful adjunct in diagnosis. Antiviral agents such as valacyclovir and famciclovir should be considered part of early management. Dentists are often the first health care professionals to be consulted by patients with this condition, and recognition of the infection is paramount.

Topics: 2-Aminopurine; Acute Disease; Acyclovir; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Antiviral Agents; Cytodiagnosis; Famciclovir; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Simplexvirus; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Valacyclovir; Valine; Virus Cultivation

Topics: 2-Aminopurine; Acyclovir; Antiviral Agents; Chemexfoliation; Chemoprevention; Dermabrasion; Dermatitis, Perioral; Elective Surgical Procedures; Famciclovir; Female; France; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Postoperative Complications; Recurrence; Stomatitis, Herpetic; Valacyclovir; Valine