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[Eczema herpeticum in children: clinical picture and therapy]
D Bartosová1, L Klapácová, J Gruber
1Klinika dĕtských infekcních nemocí FDN J. G. M., Brno.
Insights
Acyclovir effectively treats eczema herpeticatum in children, leading to rapid symptom improvement and no observed side effects. Intravenous administration showed superior results compared to oral routes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
- Virology
Context:
- Eczema herpeticatum (EH) is a severe skin infection in children.
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause significant morbidity in pediatric patients with eczema.
- Previous treatments for EH had variable efficacy and potential side effects.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of acyclovir in children with eczema herpeticatum.
- To compare intravenous versus oral acyclovir administration for EH.
- To assess the impact of acyclovir on clinical outcomes and viral dissemination.
Summary:
- A study of 67 children with eczema herpeticatum treated with acyclovir (Zovirax, Herpesin) showed rapid drying of eruptions, reduced new lesion formation, and improved clinical condition.
- No cases of visceral dissemination of herpes simplex virus (HSV) or toxic side effects were observed.
- Intravenous acyclovir demonstrated a more dramatic improvement in both general and local findings compared to oral administration, with no significant difference between tablet and suspension forms.
Impact:
- Acyclovir is a safe and effective treatment for eczema herpeticatum in children.
- Intravenous acyclovir offers a more rapid and pronounced therapeutic benefit.
- The findings support the use of acyclovir in managing severe HSV infections in pediatric dermatology.
Abstract:
The authors submit information on the course and therapeutic experience with acyclovir (Zovirax Wellcome Co. and Herpesin Lachema Co.) in 67 children with eczema herpeticatum (EH) who were hospitalized at the Clinic of Infectious Child Diseases in Brno from January 1983 to January 1991. In all instances treatment led to rapid drying of the herpetis eruptions, a shorter period of new eruption and rapid improvement of the serious clinical condition. In none of the children visceral dissemination of the virus of herpes simplex (HSV) were occurred and in none of the children toxic side-effects were found. The authors confirmed the assumed identical course of EH after i. v. administration of acyclovir of foreign or local origin. After i.v. administration frequently dramatic improvement of the general and local finding was recorded, as compared with oral administration. There were no therapeutic differences in the clinical effects of tablets and suspension, the clinical effect being comparable.