Effect of low dose acyclovir (5 mg/kg) on virus shedding, interferon and humoral immunity in herpes zoster

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Abstract
In a double-blind randomized trial, virological studies were carried out in non-immunocompromised patients with herpes zoster who received either acyclovir (5 mg/kg)or placebo intravenously three times daily for five days. Mean duration of virus shedding was not significantly different in the two groups and all patients developed high titres of antibody to varicella-zoster virus. Interferon levels in vesicle fluid reached a peak significantly sooner (PP50 values from 4±0.7 to 17.5±1 μM acyclovir. Treatment with a dose of acyclovir greater than 5 mg/kg, but not exceeding 10 mg/kg, is recommended for herpes zoster.