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Synergistic antiherpetic effect of acyclovir and mycophenolate mofetil following keratoplasty in patients with herpetic eye disease: first results of a randomised pilot study

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Abstract

Purpose

The main reasons for graft failure following penetrating keratoplasty in patients with herpetic eye disease are recurrence of herpetic disease and allograft rejection. In a randomised trial the effect of systemic acyclovir and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on these post-keratoplasty complications was evaluated.

Patients and methods

Patients with typical clinical findings of recurrent herpetic keratitis were enrolled in this single-centre study after contraindications to systemic immunosuppression were ruled out. In a prospective randomised trial 30 patients were treated in three groups. In group A patients received acyclovir 200 mg five times/day for 3 weeks. In group B patients were treated with acyclovir 200 mg five times/day for 1 year, and patients in group C received acyclovir 200 mg five times/day in combination with MMF 1 g twice daily for 1 year.

Results

In group A 3 patients experienced seven herpes recurrences. One patient had a moderate and one further patient a severe allograft rejection. In group B three severe allograft rejections were observed. Herpes recurrences did not occur while receiving acyclovir prophylaxis, but only once after the prophylaxis had been stopped. In group C no herpes recurrence was observed, and only two mild allograft rejections occurred while being under combined acyclovir—MMF therapy. Another mild and one moderate allograft rejection were observed after cessation of MMF.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that systemic acyclovir protects the grafts from recurrences of herpetic disease as long as it is administered at efficient doses. Simultaneously administered mycophenolate mofetil does not trigger herpes recurrences and protects the graft from severe allograft rejections, but mild, less dangerous immune reactions may still occur while receiving MMF. The combination of systemic acyclovir and mycophenolate mofetil therefore is recommended for patients at high risk for herpes recurrence and allograft rejections.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eye Hospital, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Klaus Mayer, Alexander Reis & Rainer Sundmacher

  2. Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Adina Voiculescu

  3. Eye Hospital, Albert-Ludwigs University, Killianstrasse 5, 79085, Freiburg, Germany

    Thomas Reinhard

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  1. Klaus Mayer
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  2. Thomas Reinhard
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  3. Alexander Reis
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  4. Adina Voiculescu
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  5. Rainer Sundmacher
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Correspondence to Klaus Mayer.

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Mayer, K., Reinhard, T., Reis, A. et al. Synergistic antiherpetic effect of acyclovir and mycophenolate mofetil following keratoplasty in patients with herpetic eye disease: first results of a randomised pilot study. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 241, 1051–1054 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-003-0724-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-003-0724-7

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