Combination therapy for dendritic keratitis with human leukocyte interferon and acyclovir

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Dendritic keratitis is a viral infection of the cornea.
• Herpes simplex virus is a common cause of dendritic keratitis.
• Current treatments include antiviral medications like acyclovir.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of human leukocyte interferon combined with acyclovir in treating dendritic keratitis.
• To compare the healing time of corneal ulcers in patients receiving interferon and acyclovir versus placebo and acyclovir.

Main Methods:

• A double-masked study involving 45 patients with virologically verified dendritic keratitis.
• Interferon (30 x 10^6 IU/ml) or placebo administered daily as eye drops.
• Acyclovir 3% ointment applied five times daily to all patients.

Main Results:

• The mean healing time for corneal ulcers was 3.9 days in the interferon-acyclovir group (24 patients).
• The mean healing time was 7 days in the placebo-acyclovir group (21 patients).
• The difference in healing times was statistically significant (P < .001).

Conclusions:

• Combination therapy with interferon and acyclovir significantly accelerates the healing of dendritic keratitis.
• Interferon enhances the effectiveness of acyclovir in treating viral corneal ulcers.
• This treatment approach offers a more rapid resolution of corneal ulceration.