Feasibility of Continuous Infusions of Acyclovir
Christine K O'Leary1, Cheryl Jones2,3, Penelope A Bryant1,3,4
1From the Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|August 16, 2020
Summary
Continuous intravenous acyclovir infusions offer a viable home treatment option for severe neonatal herpes simplex virus infections, overcoming challenges of frequent dosing for outpatient care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal infectious diseases
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Current guidelines mandate 21-day intravenous acyclovir for severe herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.
- The thrice-daily dosing schedule of intravenous acyclovir presents significant challenges for outpatient management.
- Neonatal HSV encephalitis requires prompt and sustained antiviral therapy.
Observation:
- Two cases of neonatal herpes simplex virus encephalitis were successfully treated with continuous-infusion acyclovir administered at home.
- This approach facilitated prolonged antiviral therapy outside of a traditional hospital setting.
- The administration method aimed to simplify treatment delivery for families.
Findings:
- Continuous infusion acyclovir provides sustained therapeutic drug levels.
- Pharmacologic data supports the efficacy and safety of continuous acyclovir infusions.
- Clinical outcomes in the described cases suggest this method is a feasible alternative.
Implications:
- Continuous-infusion acyclovir may represent a practical and effective strategy for home-based treatment of neonatal HSV infections.
- This approach could improve patient access to care and reduce healthcare costs.
- Further research should explore broader application and long-term outcomes of home-based continuous acyclovir infusions.
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