Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0033774 (pruritus)
 14,546 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A double-blind placebo controlled trial of oral acyclovir in otherwise healthy immune competent young adults with chickenpox was conducted. One hundred males were recruited into the trial, fifty were randomised to receive acyclovir at a dose of 800 mg five times daily for 5 days and fifty to receive matching placebo. Acyclovir recipients experienced itching and required anti-pruritic therapy for a significantly shorter period of time (p less than 0.05); no significant effects of acyclovir therapy on overall rash progression were observed. In patients with a mild rash on entry the maximum daily temperature recorded was significantly lower in the acyclovir group as compared with placebo recipients on day 1 of therapy (p less than 0.01). Acyclovir was extremely well tolerated and no adverse events were reported. Studies with early oral acyclovir therapy in otherwise healthy children with chickenpox has demonstrated significant benefits, particularly in rash progression. It is postulated that the partial benefits shown in this study in adults reflect the high proportion of patients with mild disease and enrollment of the majority of patients more than 24 hours after the rash onset.
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PMID:A double blind, placebo controlled trial of efficacy and safety of oral acyclovir (Zovirax) in the treatment of chickenpox in adults. 152 49

The efficacy of oral acyclovir 400 mg twice daily in suppressing frequently relapsing genital herpes simplex was evaluated in an open multicenter study. Seventy-one patients were treated for 12 months. During treatment, 73% of the patients were completely free of symptoms when taking the tablets continuously, and another 14% had mild symptoms such as erythema and/or itching at single occasions. An accidental treatment interruption for 2-4 days led to mild but definite herpes episodes within a few days in 5 otherwise symptom free patients. Definite herpes episodes despite acyclovir medication occurred in 3 cases (4%). No noteworthy side effects were recorded during the acyclovir treatment. After withdrawal of acyclovir, herpes relapsed within 1-4 weeks in 69% of the patients. The frequency of relapses during the following months was reported to be equal to that before the treatment period in most of the patients. Acyclovir susceptibility of the isolated herpes simplex virus (HSV) strains did not change during treatment. The mean titres of antibodies against HSV type-common glycoprotein antigen, HSV-2 type-specific antigen and varicella zoster virus antigens decreased significantly during treatment with acyclovir.
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PMID:One year acyclovir suppression of frequently recurring genital herpes: a study of efficacy, safety, virus sensitivity and antibody response. 166 44

In many cases of chronic intractable pain without any discernible causes, when both Western medical treatment and acupuncture treatment failed to eliminate the pain, this pain is often due to the unrecognized presence of viral or bacterial infection. Even effective anti-viral or bacterial agents often fail to eliminate or inhibit the infection, as these drugs may also fail to reach the most painful area where often unrecognizable circulatory disturbances co-exist. Using the Bi-Digital O-Ring Test Molecular Identification Method, we were able to localize substance P and thromboxane B2 (a good indicator of the presence and degree of circulatory disturbances) in the painful area along with virus or bacteria. Based on the Bi-Digital O-Ring Test localization method for specific substances or microbes, the author has successfully treated cases of chronic intractable pain by the combination of anti-viral or bacterial agents with either manual acupuncture, electro-acupuncture or transcutaneous electrical stimulation through a pair of surface electrodes. Among a variety of infections, the most common cause of severe intractable pain was herpes simplex virus, and the most common bacterial cause of intractable pain of moderate degree was campylobacter. In addition, chlamydia was a very common cause of mild intractable pain. When peripheral nerve fibers are hypersensitive from nerve injury due to viral infection, in addition to the drug therapy for infection, use of Vitamin B1 25 mg., 2 times a day for an average adult often accelerates recovery time. As an anti-viral agent for the herpes virus family, the author found that EPA (Omega 3 fish oil, Eicosa Pentaenoic Acid, C20:5 omega 3), at doses between 180 mg. and 350 mg (depending upon body weight) 4 times a day for 2 to 6 weeks, without prescribing the common anti-viral agent Acyclovir, often eliminated the symptoms due to viral infection including all well-known types of the herpes virus, such as herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus. Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus are usually not associated with intractable severe pain, but they are often associated with a recurrent burning or itching sensation and they can cause intractable frequent muscle twitching. Viruses belonging to the herpes family almost always exist between the midline of one side of the spinal cord and the midline of the front of the body where these nerves from the spinal cord end and the same virus is localized only on one side of the body at the same spinal level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Treatment of acute or chronic severe, intractable pain and other intractable medical problems associated with unrecognized viral or bacterial infection: Part I. 197 80

Cutaneous manifestations of AIDS in the 1st 91 cases diagnosed in French Guiana between 1982-October 1987 included 40 cases of candidiasis, 29 of prurigo, 13 of herpes simplex, 5 of trichomoniasis, 7 of human papilloma virus, 3 of shingles, 3 of donovanoses, and 1 of Kaposi's sarcoma. There were also 7 cases of seborrheic dermatitis, 6 of capillary dystrophies, and 1 of leucoplasia. 26 of the 40 cases of candidiasis were buccal or buccopharyngeal and 14 were vaginal. Such infections are intense, chronic, and easy to diagnose. Local treatment with Nystatin or Amphotericin B in solution for buccal cases and with imidazole derivatives for vaginal cases should be supplemented with systemic medications such as ketoconazole. Most herpes simplex cases are type 2 genital infections which may be chronic and extensive. A perfusion of Aciclovir usually gives good results in 5 or 6 days. Shingles during AIDS often has nonthoracic localizations; involves itching, pain, and burning sensations; is recurrent, perhaps on the contralateral side; and may leave scars. Sensitivity to Aciclovir is less than for herpes simplex. Human papilloma virus lesions that are not too large are treated locally. Although tuberculosis is in 2nd place after candidiasis among opportunistic infections in AIDS patients in French Guiana. Only 2 cases of cutaneous tuberculosis were observed. 3 cases of Donovanosis due to Calymmatobacterium granulomatis were observed, with 2 cases with 1 couple. Chronic prurigo has been observed frequently in AIDS patients in Africa and Haiti. Along with asthenia, polyadenopathies, and shingles, it is often an early sign of AIDS. The pruritus becomes more and more intense and the only treatment providing some relief is local corticotherapy. The dermatovenereal signs of AIDS in tropical environments should raise suspicions of the disease in undiagnosed cases, and they also provide an explanation for the high rate of heterosexual transmission in individuals with various disorders involving genital lesions. Some dermatological disorders common in French Guiana have not been observed in AIDS patients to date.
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PMID:[Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in French Guyana. Dermato-venereologic problems]. 272 41

In a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial of topical acyclovir in initial (first episode) genital herpes 18 patients received acyclovir ointment and 22 matching placebo ointment. Acyclovir significantly reduced the duration of viral shedding from external and all genital lesions, the duration of vesicles, the time to crusting, the time to complete healing of external and all genital lesions, new lesion formation, and the duration of pain, itching, and all symptoms combined for all patients. In female patients alone the time to crusting was not significantly different and the duration of pain only approached significance but the effects were otherwise the same as for all patients. No patients reported any adverse effects of treatment. Topical acyclovir is well tolerated and effective in treating initial genital herpes.
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PMID:Topical acyclovir in the treatment of initial genital herpes. 633 97

A double blind, placebo controlled trial of 5% acyclovir cream, applied topically five times a day for five days, was carried out in 49 patients with recurrent herpes labialis. These patients had a total of 74 episodes, 34 of which were treated with the 5% acyclovir cream and 40 with matching placebo. First episodes and all episodes treated with acyclovir cream had significantly shorter times to formation of ulcer or crust and to complete healing (p less than 0.05 for all variables). The duration of all symptoms and proportion of patients developing itching was also reduced by acyclovir cream in first episodes, though the difference was not significant. When the patient started treatment early in the course of a first episode acyclovir cream significantly reduced the percentage of lesions progressing beyond the papular stage (p less than 0.05). Acyclovir cream is well tolerated and effective for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis.
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PMID:Successful treatment of herpes labialis with topical acyclovir. 640 39

Sixty-nine patients with first episodes and 111 with recurrent episodes of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection were enrolled in a double-blind trial comparing a 5 percent topical acyclovir ointment versus placebo, polyethylene glycol (PEG). Among acyclovir recipients with first episodes of genital herpes, the mean duration of viral shedding from genital lesions, 2.0 days, mean duration of local pain or itching, 3.6 days, and mean time to healing of lesions, 11.2 days, were less than in placebo recipients 4.6, 6.7, and 15.8 days, respectively (p less than 0.05 for each comparison). Among patients with recurrent genital herpes, the mean duration of viral shedding from genital lesions was 0.8 days in acyclovir recipients compared with 1.7 days in placebo recipients (p less than 0.001). Among men with recurrent genital herpes, the mean time to crusting and healing of lesions was 3.5 and 7.5 days in acyclovir recipients compared with 5.0 and 9.7 days in placebo recipients, p = 0.03 and 0.07, respectively. No significant differences in the duration of symptoms or healing times were noted between acyclovir- and placebo-treated women with recurrent genital herpes. Acyclovir therapy was not associated with a decrease in frequency of clinical recurrences or an increase in the time of the next recurrence in patients with either first or recurrent genital herpes. Topical acyclovir appears effective in shortening some of the clinical manifestations of genital HSV infections.
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PMID:Double-blind controlled trial of topical acyclovir in genital herpes simplex virus infections. 704 19

An open multicenter study has been carried out to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of oral acyclovir in the treatment of varicella in immunocompetent patients in the first two years of life. Fifty-three children aged 3-24 months received acyclovir at 80 mg/Kg/day in four divided doses for 4 to 6 days; 24 of them were treated in the first 24 hours following disease onset, while the remaining 29 patients were enrolled within 48 hours. The assessment of evolution of disease signs and symptoms showed a rapid resolution of fever, itching and other constitutional symptoms, with interruption of vesicle formation and acceleration of cutaneous healing processes. No statistically significant differences have been demonstrated as to disease progression between patients treated in the first 24 hours, when compared with subjects receiving acyclovir in the following 24 hours. Acyclovir confirmed its excellent clinical and laboratory safety profile. By acting favorably on both the duration and severity of disease signs and symptoms, acyclovir treatment should be recommended in young children and infants with varicella, since a higher incidence of severe and complicated disease has been observed in these patient groups.
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PMID:Varicella in immunocompetent children in the first two years of life: role of treatment with oral acyclovir. Italian Acyclovir-Chickenpox Study Group. 762 63

Cutaneous infiltration by leukemic cells is uncommon and may be associated with progression of disease. The authors present the case of a 77-year-old female patient, referred to the dermatology clinic for red, erythematous, pruritic papules, which had suddenly appeared on her left hemithorax, along the C6 dermatome, with a 4-week duration. She had already been medicated with Valacyclovir and Acyclovir for 4 weeks, without clinical improvement. She also had a diagnosis of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), type 2 diabetes mellitus, and multinodular goiter. Tzanck smear showed no multinucleated giant cells,and PCR testing for Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) on skin biopsy was negative. Histopathology showed a typical B-CLL infiltrate (CD3+, CD20+) and cytogetic analysis was compatible with alterations seen in the bone marrow, confirming the diagnosis of cutaneous infiltration by B-CLL. The patient began chemotherapy with chlorambucil and intravenous human immunoglobulin, which resulted in total regression of the lesions as well as the pruritus. Even though lymphocytic infiltration of Herpes Simplex or Herpes Zoster scars is well documented, cutaneous infiltration with a zosteriform distribution without a previous episode of herpes is very rare. The therapeutic target should be the leukemia itself.
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PMID:Zosteriform B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia infiltration. 2197 Dec 74

Tattooing is a procedure where ink is applied to an area of the skin, mostly intraepidermally (1). This procedure is carried out mainly for aesthetic purposes. Lately, it has been used as a corrective medical procedure following amputation of mammilla. The procedure is aggressive (2), and the fact that skin is punctured many times with the same needle which cannot be fully sterilized may cause infection of the treated area with bacterial, fungal, or viral agents that may lead to health consequences manifesting in the form of verrucae vulgaris, molluscum contagiosum, and herpes simplex. On the other hand, complications such as granulomas, allergic reactions, Koebner phenomenon, lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, lichen ruber planus, hepatitis C, and HIV infections should also be considered as potential consequences of tattooing (3-7). Even systemic reactions have been reported. Herein we describe a case of herpes infection activation after tattooing. Herein we present the case of a 46-year-old woman, employed in the medical sector, with a two-day history of herpes simplex in the labial area that manifested following application of a cosmetic tattoo meant to outline the lips (Figure 1). Two days after tattoo application, the vesicular lesions appeared along the area that was filled with ink, followed by sub-febrile temperature and fever and a subjective feeling of itching initially, followed by burning sensation and pain. The skin signs located on erythematous base were mainly grouped vesicles with sharply demarcated borders. Regional lymphatic nodes, mainly retro auricular, were enlarged. Within 48 hours, the patient was treated with acyclovir tablets in a dose of 800 mg three times a day and an antipyretic. Acyclovir ointment was administered during the first two days, as well as tetracycline ointment after the second day of the eruption. On the fifth day, we observed regression of the skin changes (Figure 2), and complete healing was achieved after one week. We assessed the medical history of the patient, which revealed the following: hypothyreosis due to lobectomy performed for the treatment of toxic adenoma. The patient was under substitutional therapy with 75 mg levothyroxine. The patient had herpes simplex before, and this was the second herpetic eruption. Herpes simplex is caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV) type-1 infection that is transmitted through droplets of saliva or direct contact with the affected area, for example during kissing (8-10). Histology reveals intraepidermal blisters, degeneration in epidermal cells at the base of the vesicle, and multilocular eosinophilic inclusional bodies inside cells. Infection is usually more pronounced in the initial phase of disease, where the symptoms are also more intense. Activation of the infection occurs when the body undergoes a decrease in immunity (1), in situations of extensive exposure to the sun, and also in some other circumstances, such as the application of a tattoo as described herein. Tattooing can inoculate the virus or trigger the activation of the herpes virus and other viruses (1,8-10). Tattooing, apart from bringing social stigma in some cases, which is one of the major issues for persons who undergo the procedure, may also cause injuries, contact dermatitis, foreign body granuloma, infections, and allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Herpes simplex infections are also possible, either by inoculation or reactivation of the HSV. Except in situations where the tattoo is performed for medicinal purposes, tattooing is not a procedure that is supported by dermatologists. Furthermore, tattooing also causes a number of side effects. Allergic reactions (3,4), anaphylactic shock, foreign body granuloma, lichen ruber planus (5), granuloma pyogenes (5), verruca vulgaris, molluscum contagiosum, herpes simplex, and some other bacterial and viral infections.
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PMID:Activation of Herpes Simplex Infection after Tattoo. 2978 8


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