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Updated: May 6, 2026
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A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation
Published on: April 2, 2012
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Herpes simplex virus resistant to acyclovir. A study in a tertiary care center
J A Englund1, M E Zimmerman, E M Swierkosz
1University of Minnesota Health Sciences Center, Minneapolis.
Annals of Internal Medicine
|March 15, 1990
Summary
Acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus (HSV) is common in immunocompromised patients, potentially causing severe illness. Early detection of resistant HSV strains is crucial for personalized antiviral treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are common, and acyclovir is a primary antiviral treatment.
- Acyclovir resistance in HSV can emerge, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, posing treatment challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of acyclovir-resistant HSV isolates in hospitalized patients.
- To assess the clinical significance and characteristics of acyclovir-resistant HSV.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective incidence cohort study of HSV isolates from 207 patients over one year at a tertiary care center.
- Nucleic acid hybridization used for rapid acyclovir susceptibility testing.
- Plaque autoradiography to assess thymidine kinase activity in resistant isolates.
Main Results:
- Acyclovir-resistant HSV was found in 4.7% of 148 immunocompromised patients, but none of 59 immunocompetent hosts.
- All patients with resistant HSV isolates had clinical disease, which was more severe in pediatric cases.
- Resistant isolates were associated with prior acyclovir treatment and lacked or had altered thymidine kinase activity.
Conclusions:
- Acyclovir-resistant HSV emerges relatively frequently in immunocompromised patients and can lead to severe outcomes.
- Rapid detection of resistance enables individualized antiviral therapy.
- Antiviral susceptibility testing is recommended to monitor for and manage HSV resistance, especially in tertiary care settings.
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