Successful Treatment of Human Genital Herpes Infections With 2-Deoxy-D-glucose
- Herbert A. Blough, MD;
- Robert L. Giuntoli, MD
- From the Division of Biochemical Virology and Membrane Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Dr Blough), Scheie Eye Institute (Dr Blough); and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Dr Giuntoli), Philadelphia.
Abstract
Thirty-six women with genital herpes infections (proved by virological or cytological means) were treated in a double-blind placebo-controlled study with the glucose analogue 2-deoxy-D-glucose for a three-week period. In initial mucocutaneous cases, 89% were cured, with two recurrences after 24 months; in the case of recurrent or secondary infections, 90% had a notable improvement manifested by no or less-frequent recurrences, fewer lesions, or shortened duration of symptoms. In initial infections, discomfort cleared within 12 to 72 hours of therapy; 90% of the patients were asymptomatic within four days. In both cases, virus shedding was notably reduced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Concomitant controls treated with placebos failed to respond within this time frame. The use of 2-deoxy-D-glucose provides a simple and unique approach to the treatment of genital herpesvirus infections.
(JAMA 241:2798-2801, 1979)
Footnotes
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Read before the Herpesvirus Workshop, St John's College, Cambridge University, United Kingdom, Aug 21, 1978.
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Reprint requests to Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, 51 N 39th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (Dr Blough).
