A Randomized Exploratory Study to Investigate the Inflammatory Response During an Ultraviolet-Radiation-Induced Cold Sore Episode.

Introduction: Antivirals and occlusive lip patches are key treatments for cold sores. Additional therapeutic options, and validated methods to evaluate these, are needed.

Methods: This exploratory, double-blind, single-center study aimed to evaluate a novel lip patch containing the antiviral aciclovir (ACV) using noninvasive methods for measuring cold sore-associated inflammation.

Susceptibility of herpes simplex virus isolates to nucleoside analogues and the proportion of nucleoside-resistant variants after repeated topical application of penciclovir to recurrent herpes labialis.

Subjects received topical penciclovir for 4 days during successive episodes of recurrent herpes labialis. Isolation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) was attempted from lesions obtained before initiation of treatment and on each day of therapy. Isolates remained sensitive to penciclovir when tested by a plaque reduction assay, and there was no significant change in sensitivity during any treatment course or between successive treatments.

Using community pharmacies to conduct an HSV-1 prevalence study.

Purpose: To describe the effectiveness of community-based pharmacists in conducting a study to measure the baseline prevalence of Herpes simplex virus, type-1 susceptibility to two antiviral medications in subjects with recurrent Herpes labialis.

Method: A cross-sectional study conducted in 47 US community pharmacies. The pharmacist obtained a viral sample from the surface of the lesion, placed the virus-laden swab in a vial of holding medium, and stored it in a refrigerator until shipment to a central laboratory.

Surveillance for antiviral-agent-resistant herpes simplex virus in the general population with recurrent herpes labialis.

In a general population survey in the United States, the prevalence of antiviral-agent-resistant herpes simplex virus was very low among more than 1,000 isolates from individuals with an episode of recurrent herpes labialis not treated with topical antiviral agents. Two isolates had borderline resistance to acyclovir (0.2%), and all were susceptible to penciclovir.

Penciclovir susceptibilities of herpes simplex virus isolates from patients using penciclovir cream for treatment of recurrent herpes labialis.

The antiherpesvirus agent penciclovir (PCV) shares an identical activation pathway and a similar mode of action with acyclovir (ACV). However, since PCV represents a relatively recent treatment option, the clinical resistance profile to PCV is less well known. A susceptibility program was established to assess the resistance profile for serial herpes simplex virus isolates from immunocompetent patients with recurrent herpes labialis obtained throughout a 4-day period of treatment with topical PCV (1% cream) or a placebo.

Effective treatment of herpes simplex labialis with penciclovir cream: combined results of two trials.

Background: Two randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trials were conducted in Europe and North America to compare the efficacy and safety of topical 1 percent penciclovir cream with a placebo cream.

Methods: A total of 4,573 immunocompetent people with a history of recurrent herpes simplex labialis, or HSL, with three or more episodes a year that typically manifested as classical lesions, were enrolled and prospectively dispensed medication-either 1 percent penciclovir in a cetomacrogol cream base or a matching placebo. Patients self-initiated treatment and were required to apply study medication six times per day for the first day and every two hours while awake for four consecutive days.