[Experiences with acyclovir in herpes virus infections]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Pharmacology

Context:

• Patients with malignancies and hematological disorders are often immunocompromised.
• Herpes virus infections pose a significant risk in these vulnerable patient populations.
• Previous treatments may have included intensive cytostatic agents and irradiation.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acyclovir in treating herpes virus infections.
• To assess acyclovir's response in patients with various cancers and blood disorders.
• To determine the optimal dosage and side effect profile of acyclovir in this cohort.

Summary:

• 46 patients with malignancies, 6 with hematological disorders, and 3 healthy individuals received acyclovir for clinically diagnosed herpes virus infections.
• Most patients received 1500 mg acyclovir daily for 5-13 days, with dosage adjustments based on renal function and response.
• Acyclovir demonstrated high efficacy with negligible side effects, although 6 patients reported severe neuralgia and 5 experienced relapses.

Impact:

• Acyclovir is a safe and effective treatment for herpes virus infections in immunocompromised patients.
• The study highlights the importance of managing viral infections in oncology and hematology patients.
• Findings support the use of acyclovir in clinical practice for this patient group.