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Clinical Trial
. 2011 Jul;55(7):3624-6.
doi: 10.1128/AAC.01023-10. Epub 2011 May 16.

Valacyclovir for herpes simplex encephalitis

Thomas Pouplin  1 , Julie Nguyen Pouplin, Pham Van Toi, Niklas Lindegardh, H Rogier van Doorn, Tran Tinh Hien, Jeremy Farrar, M Estée Török, Tran Thi Hong Chau
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Valacyclovir for herpes simplex encephalitis

Thomas Pouplin et al. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2011 Jul.

Abstract

The recommended treatment for herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) remains intravenous acyclovir. In resource-poor countries, however, intravenous formulations are usually unavailable or unaffordable. We report the penetration of acyclovir into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with HSE, treated with the oral prodrug valacyclovir at 1,000 mg three times daily. The oral therapy achieved adequate acyclovir concentrations in the CSF and may be an acceptable early treatment for suspected HSE in resource-limited settings.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Acyclovir concentrations 2 h postdose in plasma (mean [▪] + standard deviation) and in CSF (individual plots [•]). Two CSF samples (on day 2) were not taken at the correct time postdose and were excluded from the analysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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