Ocular herpes simplex virus: how are latency, reactivation, recurrent disease and therapy interrelated?

Most humans are infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 in early childhood and remain latently infected throughout life. While most individuals have mild or no symptoms, some will develop destructive HSV keratitis. Ocular infection with HSV-1 and its associated sequelae account for the majority of corneal blindness in industrialized nations.

In vitro synergism of trifluorothymidine and ganciclovir against HSV-1.

Purpose: To determine whether trifluorothymidine (TFT) and ganciclovir (GCV) are synergistic against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Methods: TFT and GCV activity against 12 strains of HSV-1 (including an acyclovir-resistant strain) was measured by plaque-forming unit (PFU) inhibition. Cellular toxicity was assessed with an MTT dye reduction assay.

Effect of high versus low oral doses of valacyclovir on herpes simplex virus-1 DNA shedding into tears of latently infected rabbits.

Purpose: To assess the effect of high doses of valacyclovir (VCV) on HSV-1 DNA shedding into tears of latently infected rabbits.

Methods: Three oral doses of VCV were tested. Corneas were inoculated with HSV-1, and latent infection was allowed to establish.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study to evaluate valacyclovir alone and with aspirin for asymptomatic HSV-1 DNA shedding in human tears and saliva.

Purpose: To test the effect of valacyclovir alone and with aspirin on the asymptomatic shedding of HSV-1 DNA in tears and saliva of healthy individuals. METHOD. The subjects (n = 45) were randomized into three groups without regard to age, sex, or race.

WITHDRAWN: Synergistic interaction of aciclovir and a helicase-primase inhibitor, BAY 57-1293, against herpes simplex virus type 1.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s). The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.