ISSN:
1433-7339
Keywords:
Acyclovir
;
Bacteraemia
;
Leukaemia induction treatment
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract We prospectively tested the hypothesis that prevention of herpes simplex virus infection with acyclovir might also reduce the incidence of bacterial infections in adult patients with acute leukaemia. During the first induction therapy a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study was undertaken. Fifty-two patients were treated with 200 mg acyclovir orally four times daily throughout the induction period, whereas 55 patients received placebo. The groups were comparable with regard to age, cytotoxic chemotherapy and duration of neutropenia. Bacteraemias were significantly fewer in the acyclovir group (20 versus 41 episodes; P=0.007). The number of isolated microorganisms causing bacterial or fungal infections was also lower during acyclovir prophylaxis (52 isolates, versus 93 isolates; P=0.02). There was no significant differenc between the groups with regard to the number of clinically documented infections or fevers of unknown origin. Herpes simplex virus isolations occurred only in the placebo group (P=0.001). Thus, oral acyclovir prophylaxis was associated with reductions of all microbiologically documented infections suggesting that prevention of herpes simplex virus reactivation in acute leukaemia patients may reduce the occurrence of other infections.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00366060
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