Failure of Cytarabine in Varicella-Zoster Infections

Abstract
In an effort to confirm the reported efficacy of cytarabine for the treatment of varicella-zoster (VZ), a double-blind study comparing cytarabine—150 mg/sq m of body surface for 36 hours—to dextrose in water was performed in cancer and immunosuppressed patients. One of the five cytarabine-treated patients and two of the three placebo-treated patients developed disseminated lesions. The acute phase and the time necessary for healing were the same in both groups. Until the natural course of VZ is documented in a large series of cancer patients, the benefit of medications such as cytarabine will remain in doubt.

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