Herpes zoster, with AIDS

In advanced AIDS, MM is usually associated with opportunistic infections such as CMV (Said et al. 1991 RouUet et al. 1994 Kolson and Gonzalez-Scarano 2001) or is secondary to lymphoma (Fuller et al. 1993). Despite a role for other herpes viruses in AIDS-associated myelitis, no substantive evidence has been published in support of a role for other vimses in the development of HIV-associated MM, including herpes simplex 1 or 2, varicella zoster, or Epstein Barr vims (Kolson and Gonzalez-Scarano 2001). MM can occur secondary to hepatitis B and C viruses, which are common co-infections of HIV-infected patients, particularly when there is an associated cryoglobulinemia (Taillan et al. 1993 Caniatti et al. 1996). Rarely... 

Antiviral Efficacy and Clinical Use. Foscarnet (Fos-cavir) is primarily given to treat CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS.6,24 This agent may also help control other infections in patients with a compromised immune system, including serious cytomegaloviral infections (pneumonia, gastrointestinal infections) and some herpesvirus infections (herpes simplex, varicella-zoster). 

Valaciclovir is highly active against Herpes simplex and Herpes zoster. It is also effective in suppressing recurrent episodes of genital herpes (1). Prophylactic administration of high doses of valaciclovir to prevent CMV disease was effective in patients with AIDS and in liver transplant recipients (2,3). 

Foscamet is an antiviral agent that inhibits replication of all known herpes viruses, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It is indicated in the treatment of CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS treatment of acyclovir-resistant mucocutaneous HSV infections in immunocompromised patients and as combination therapy with ganciclovir for patients who have relapsed after monotherapy with either drug. 

Zidovudine has shown activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) consequently, it is used for the treatment of AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC). It positively enhanees the survival and improves the quality of life of patients with eomplieations sueh as severe weight loss, fever, pneumocystosis, herpes zoster, herpes or thrush. Beeause it erosses the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), it has a favourable response on the neurological symptoms of AIDS. 

Acyclovir [9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine] (ACV) is clinically useful in the treatment of infections caused by several members of the herpes virus (e.g., herpes simplex, varicella zoster and Epstein-Barr virus [2,38,39]). An enzyme coded for by the virus phosphorylates ACV to a monophosphate intermediate. This species in turn undergoes further phosphorylation to a triphosphate with the aid of normal cell enzymes. Then, ACV triphosphate inhibits the herpes virus DNA... 

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