TREATMENT OF HERPES VIRUS INFECTIONS

TREATMENT OF HERPES VIRUS INFECTIONS
Herpes viruses are associated with a broad spectrum of diseases, for example, cold sores, viral encephalitis, and genital infections. The drugs that are effective against these viruses exert their actions during the acute phase of viral infections and are without effect during the latent phase.
Acyclovir
Acyclovir (acycloguanosine) is the prototypic antiherpetic therapeutic agent for Herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2,varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and some Epstein-Barr virus–mediated infections are sensitive to acyclovir.
It is the treatment of choice in HSV encephalitis.
Common clinical uses of acyclovir:
1-genital herpes infections.
2-prophylactically to seropositive patients before bone marrow transplant and post–heart transplant, to protect such individuals from herpetic infections.
Mechanism of action:
Acyclovir, a guanosine analog, is monophosphorylated in the cell by the herpesvirus-encoded enzyme thymidine kinase . Therefore, virus-infected cells are most susceptible. causing premature DNA chain termination.
Mechanism of action:
Acyclovir, a guanosine analog, is monophosphorylated in the cell by the herpesvirus-encoded enzyme thymidine kinase . Therefore, virus-infected cells are most susceptible. causing premature DNA chain termination.
Mechanism of action:
Acyclovir, a guanosine analog, is monophosphorylated in the cell by the herpesvirus-encoded enzyme thymidine kinase . Therefore, virus-infected cells are most susceptible. causing premature DNA chain termination.