HERPES SIMPLEX AND VARICELLA-ZOSTER INFECTIONS IN ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

HERPES SIMPLEX AND VARICELLA-ZOSTER INFECTIONS IN ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME

Infect Dis Ther; 3:173-93 1989. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/90665445
Erlich KS; Div. of Infectious Diseases, Univ. of California, San Francisco,; CA

Abstract: Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the neurotropic herpesviruses, typically produce an acute infection of epithelial and nerve tissue and latent infection of nerve root ganglia. These viruses can cause disease in both the normal and immunocompromised host and are responsible for substantial morbidity in patients (pts) with AIDS. HSV and VZV infections in AIDS are reviewed under the following headings: epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation (HSV: orolabial, genital and anorectal infection; esophagitis; and encephalitis; VZV: primary infection [varicella], recurrent infection [zoster], and complications), laboratory diagnosis (virus culture, antigen detection, cytology, and serology), and treatment (antiviral chemotherapy with acyclovir, management of HSV infection with acyclovir [iv, oral, and topical], suppressive acyclovir therapy for HSV, acyclovir-resistant HSV, and management of VZV infection with acyclovir). Primary infection with HSV and VZV is rare in adults with AIDS because prior infection with these viruses is common before HIV infection. However, reactivated infection and recurrent disease are common in pts with AIDS and often lead to severe illness, with extensive tissue destruction and prolonged virus shedding. Prompt recognition of these viruses is important because early intervention with antiviral chemotherapy in pts with AIDS decreases morbidity and likely reduces the risk of fatal complications. (52 Refs)

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS Acyclovir/THERAPEUTIC USE Chickenpox/*COMPLICATIONS/DIAGNOSIS Diagnosis, Differential Herpes Simplex/*COMPLICATIONS/DIAGNOSIS Herpes Zoster/*COMPLICATIONS/DIAGNOSIS Human Opportunistic Infections/*COMPLICATIONS/DIAGNOSIS Recurrence Vidarabine/THERAPEUTIC USE JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW, TUTORIAL REVIEW
901030
M90A0690

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