Treatment of recurrent genital herpes simplex infections with oral acyclovir.

A total of 113 patients with recurrent genital herpes were enrolled in a multicentre cross-over study. Two consecutive recurrences were treated with either oral acyclovir 200 mg or matching placebo five times daily for five days. Acyclovir significantly reduced the time to crusting and healing and the duration of new lesions and symptoms. Acyclovir was not found to have any clinically significant effect on the haematological or biochemical parameters measured, or to have caused adverse events and was well tolerated. Early self-initiated treatment may abort a recurrent attack of genital herpes without progression to the ulcerative or crusting stage.

Comparison of topical treatment with desoxymethasone solution 0.25% with salicylic acid 1% and betamethasone valerate solution 0.1% in patients with psoriasis of the scalp.

A new preparation for treatment of psoriasis of the scalp, containing desoxymethasone 0.25%, salicylic acid 1% and polyol-fatty esters in ethanolic solution (Ibaril) was tested in patients with psoriasis of the scalp. In a double-blind study comprising forty patients there was a significant difference in favour of this solution in comparison with betamethasone valerate solution, 0.1% (Betnovat) after 2 weeks of treatment.

A randomized trial comparing cadexomer iodine and standard treatment in the out-patient management of chronic venous ulcers.

Ninety-three patients with treatment-resistant venous ulcers were included in a multicentre randomized trial to compare cadexomer iodine and the standard treatment used in each centre combined with compression bandages, in healing venous ulcers. The mean duration of ulcers before the trial was more than 2 years. With standard treatment the mean ulcer size increased slightly during the 6-week trial whereas with cadexomer iodine the ulcer size was significantly reduced. Cadexomer iodine was more effective than standard treatment for reduction of pain, removal of pus and debris, removal of exudate, stimulation of granulation and reduction of surrounding erythema. Bacterial infection of ulcers increased or did not change during treatment with the standard therapy whereas cadexomer iodine significantly reduced infection with Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other pathogenic organisms. A correlation was seen between the time taken to reduce or eliminate infection with Staphylococcus aureus and rate of ulcer healing. Four patients complained of transient pain in the ulcer after application of the cadexomer iodine. It is concluded that cadexomer iodine increased the rate of healing of infected chronic venous ulcers.

IR gene regulation of the response to trinitrophenyl-polysaccharides. Two independent genes are required for antibody production.

The primary in vitro antibody response to TNP-Ficoll was found to be under H-2-restricted Ir gene control. Strains B10(H-2b), B10.A(H-2a), and B10.S(9R) (H-2t4) were consistently low responders while strains D2.GD(H-2g2), B10.GD(H-2g2), and B10.S(H-2s) were high responders. The in vitro TNP-Ficoll response in congenic recombinant and F1 hybrid mice demonstrated the requirement for complementation of two independent Ir genes. One Ir gene mapped in or to the left of the I-A subregion with high responder alleles being s or d. The second Ir gene mapped to the right of the I-E subregion and required b or s alleles for complementation. These results were further supported by the ability to block the TNP-Ficoll response by appropriate anti-Ia serum pretreatment of the antigen-presenting macrophages. When a structurally different polysaccharide antigen TNP-dextran was used, an identical pattern of restriction was observed.

Comparison of betamethasone dipropionate lotion with salicylic acid (Diprosalic) and clobetasol propionate lotion (Dermovate) in the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp.

A double-blind comparison was made between Diprosalic and Dermovate lotions in fifty-one patients with psoriasis of the scalp. Both preparations were highly effective. No significant difference in efficacy between the preparations could be demonstrated after 3 weeks treatment except for antipruritic effect, in this respect Diprosalic being superior to Dermovate. Only three patients (two in the Dermovate group, and one in the Diprosalic group) experienced minor adverse reactions. Plasma cortisol levels were determined in seventeen of the patients and no significant influence on the adrenal function could be shown on the part of either of the preparations.

Comparison of oral treatment with zinc sulphate and placebo in acne vulgaris.

In a double-blind study 91 patients with acne vulgaris were treated either with oral zinc sulphate (0.4 g daily) or with a placebo. Forty-eight patients received zince treatment and 43 patients placebo. Significantly better results were demonstrated in favour of zince after 12 weeks.

Comparison of ornidazole and tinidazole in single-dose treatment of trichomoniasis in women.

A comparison is made between oral ornidazole in a single 1-5 g dose and tinidazole given in a 2 g dose using a double-blind technique. All the 45 women with Trichomonas vaginalis infection who were treated with ornidazole were cured. In the tinidazole-treated group 41 out of 43 women had negative cultures after treatment. Tolerance was good in both groups.

Ornidazole: a new antiprotozoal compound for treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis infection.

A new anti-protozoal compound, ornidazole, a derivative of nitroimidazole, was given in a single 2 g dose to 20 women with Trichomonas vaginalis infection. All the women were cured, but they suffered some side-effects. Plasma levels of ornidazole reached a peak five to eight times higher than minimum inhibitory concentrations and exceeded this level for at least 36 hours. It is therefore possible that a smaller dose might have had an adequate trichomonicidal effect and fewer side-effects. Further studies are in progress.