RECALCITRANT HERPETIC GENITAL ULCERS TREATED WITH IMIQUIMOD IN ASSOCIATION WITH VALACYCLOVIR

• Autor(a) principal: Matos, Diogo
• Data de Publicação: 2015
• Outros Autores: Alves, João, António, Ana Marta, Coelho, Ricardo, Bártolo, Elvira
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• DOI: 10.29021/spdv.72.4.323
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.29021/spdv.72.4.323
• topic: Imiquimod; Herpes genitalis; Herpes simplex; Ulcer; Valaciclovir; Imiquimod; Ulcer; Herpes genitais; Herpes simples; Valaciclovir

The herpes simplex virus is a common cause of genital ulcers. In the immunocompromised, it may have an atypical presentation, with exuberant lesions, frequently resulting in resistance to the mainstream therapeutic options, and a consequent prolonged course.A 25-year-old male with a previous history of common variable immunodeficiency, presented with herpetic extensive genital ulcerations on the inguinoscrotal region. Despite a long period of valacyclovir therapy, the patient remained symptomatic. We decided to add topical 5% imiquimod as an adjunctive therapy, and observed a completed resolution of the ulcerations.Imiquimod, working as a local immunomodulator, stimulates the anti-viral immunologic response. Therefore, it is an alternative in recalcitrant herpetic lesions, especially in the setting of immunosuppression.