PURPOSE: The goal of this was to determine whether the systemic administration of valacyclovir (Valtrex) would reduce ocular shedding of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) after excimer laser ablation in the New Zealand rabbit latency model. METHODS: The in vitro 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of HSV-1 W strain was determined by using a plaque-reduction assay to verify its sensitivity to acyclovir. Forty-seven NZW rabbits latently infected with HSV-1 W strain were divided into four groups: I, 50 mg/kg/day valacyclovir; II, 100 mg/kg/day valacyclovir; III, 150 mg/kg/day valacyclovir; and IV, saline control. One half of the total dose of valacyclovir was delivered via intraperitoneal injections twice daily for 7 days beginning with one dose before excimer laser keratectomy. HSV-1 ocular shedding was determined from eye cultures for 7 days after treatment. RESULTS: The IC50 for HSV-1 W was determined to be 2.9 microg/ml. The administration of both 100 mg/kg/day (group II) and 150 mg/kg/day (group III) of valacyclovir significantly reduced the number of eyes from which latent HSV-1 was recovered compared with the control group. There was no difference between the control group and group I (50 mg/kg/day valacyclovir). However, all three valacyclovir dosages significantly reduced the total number of HSV-1 shedding days compared with the control group, and 100% HSV-1 TG latency was demonstrated for all four groups. CONCLUSION: Systemic administration of valacyclovir significantly reduced HSV-1 ocular shedding in a dose-dependent manner after excimer laser keratectomy in the NZW rabbit latency model.
PURPOSE: The goal of this was to determine whether the systemic administration of valacyclovir (Valtrex) would reduce ocular shedding of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) after excimer laser ablation in the New Zealand rabbit latency model. METHODS: The in vitro 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of HSV-1 W strain was determined by using a plaque-reduction assay to verify its sensitivity to acyclovir. Forty-seven NZW rabbits latently infected with HSV-1 W strain were divided into four groups: I, 50 mg/kg/day valacyclovir; II, 100 mg/kg/day valacyclovir; III, 150 mg/kg/day valacyclovir; and IV, saline control. One half of the total dose of valacyclovir was delivered via intraperitoneal injections twice daily for 7 days beginning with one dose before excimer laser keratectomy. HSV-1 ocular shedding was determined from eye cultures for 7 days after treatment. RESULTS: The IC50 for HSV-1 W was determined to be 2.9 microg/ml. The administration of both 100 mg/kg/day (group II) and 150 mg/kg/day (group III) of valacyclovir significantly reduced the number of eyes from which latent HSV-1 was recovered compared with the control group. There was no difference between the control group and group I (50 mg/kg/day valacyclovir). However, all three valacyclovir dosages significantly reduced the total number of HSV-1 shedding days compared with the control group, and 100% HSV-1 TG latency was demonstrated for all four groups. CONCLUSION: Systemic administration of valacyclovir significantly reduced HSV-1 ocular shedding in a dose-dependent manner after excimer laser keratectomy in the NZW rabbit latency model.
Authors: J M Loutsch; B Sainz; M E Marquart; X Zheng; P Kesavan; S Higaki; J M Hill; R Tal-Singer Journal: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Date: 2001-07 Impact factor: 5.191
Authors: Manish Kumar; Herbert E Kaufman; Christian Clement; Partha S Bhattacharjee; Tashfin S Huq; Emily D Varnell; Hilary W Thompson; James M Hill Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2010-04-14 Impact factor: 4.799