Dermatology
Pharmacology and Treatment
Human Leukocyte Interferon-Alpha in Cream for the Treatment of Genital Herpes in Asian MalesA Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study aDepartment of Clinical Physiology, University Hospital Malmö; bUniversity Hospital Malmö; cMedical Laser Center, University of Lund, and dKarolinska Hospital, University of Stockholm, Sweden; eSurgical Unit, General Hospital, and fGovernment Services Hospital, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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Article / Publication Details
Received: September 23, 1994
Accepted: December 19, 1994
Published online: October 07, 2009
Issue release date: 1995
Number of Print Pages: 4
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 1018-8665 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9832 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/DRM
Abstract
Background: Genital herpes simplex virus infection, a sexually transmitted disease, is the commonest cause of ulcerative genital infections among the young and adult population. The recurrent nature of the disease, possible cause of cervical dysplasia and neonatal herpes are the primary concern associated with this infection. Objective: The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerance of human leukocyte inferon-α in hydrophihc cream (2 × 106 IU/g) to cure patients afflicted with first episodes of genital herpes. Methods: Patients (n = 60), aged 18-40 years (mean: 22.8) with culture-confirmed diagnosis of herpes simplex genitalis, harboring 751 lesions (mean: 12.5) were randomly allocated to two parallel groups (active/placebo). Patients entered the study within 7 days (mean: 4.2) of the onset of lesions. Each patient received a precoded 40-gram tube with instructions to apply the trial medication (at home) on their lesions thrice daily for 5 consecutive days (max. 15 topical applications/week). To assess the clinical efficacy patients were examined twice a week. A completely reepithelized lesion with persistent erythema was evaluated as healed or cured. Patients cured during the subsequent treatment period were spared further therapy and were requested to visit us as scheduled for recurrence control. As for the remaining patients, the same course was continued further (max. 4 weeks active treatment). The study was scheduled for 16 weeks, with 20 months of follow-up (on a monthly basis). Results: The treatment was well tolerated by all the patients. Patients treated with leukocyte interferon-α cream had a significantly shorter mean duration of healing than placebo recipients, 5.9 versus 15 days (p < 0.01), as well as the number of cured patients, 24/30 (80%) versus 5/30 (17%; p < 0.001), with mild and nonobjective complaints of drug-related adverse symptoms; there were no dropouts. Five of the cured patients (5/29, 17%) showed recurrence after 22 months. Conclusions: The results substantiate that human leukocyte interferon-α (2 × 106 IU/g) in hydrophihc cream is more efficacious than placebo and testify that the regimen can be considered a home-based reliable treatment to cure first episodes of genital herpes in males.
© 1995 S. Karger AG, Basel
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Article / Publication Details
Received: September 23, 1994
Accepted: December 19, 1994
Published online: October 07, 2009
Issue release date: 1995
Number of Print Pages: 4
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 1018-8665 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9832 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/DRM
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
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