Abstract
Introduction: :
In October 2003 we published the results of a double–blind randomised trial on the effect of oral acyclovir after penetrating keratoplasty (PK)for herpetic eye disease (HED) (1). During the 2 years follow up, 3 herpes–related (PCR or culture proven) recurrences occurred after oral acyclovir 400 mg twice daily (ACY group) as opposed to 9 recurrences after placebo (PLAC) (p = 0.026, log–rank test).
Purpose: :
This study was performed to determine the 5 year follow–up of the same patient population.
Methods: :
All patients were followed up according to the national keratoplasty follow–up register (at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 60 months). Patient records were used to score HSV recurrences and rejection episodes on clinical grounds: dendritic HED or kerato–uveitis. Rejection episodes and anterior chamber reactions were excluded.
Results: :
: After the 6 months acyclovir prophylaxis until 5 years after the operation 8 recurrences occurred in the ACY group as opposed to 16 in the PLAC group (p=0.006; unifactorial analysis of variance).
Conclusions: :
: 2x400 mg acyclovir for 6 months after PK appears to be effective for an episode extending to five years postoperatively.
References: :
(1) Van Rooy et al. Effect of Oral Acyclovir after Penetrating Keratoplasty for Herpetic Keratitis. Ophthalmol 2003;110:1916–1919
Keywords: herpes simplex virus • transplantation • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications