Relapse of herpes simplex encephalitis after conventional acyclovir therapy
K. E. VanLandingham, H. B. Marsteller, G. W. Ross and F. G. Hayden
Department of Neurology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
Acyclovir sodium is the drug of choice for the treatment of herpes simplex
encephalitis. We treated an immunocompetent patient with a ten-day course
of intravenous acyclovir sodium at the recommended dosage of 10 mg/kg every
eight hours for clinically apparent herpes simplex encephalitis. After
marked improvement, his condition deteriorated four days after completing
acyclovir therapy. A subsequent brain biopsy specimen disclosed
acyclovir-sensitive herpes simplex virus type 1. A longer duration of
acyclovir therapy (14 to 21 days) should be considered for treating herpes
simplex encephalitis.
