Primary And Recurrent Herpes Simplex Ocular Infection In Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

randomised clinical study was performed in the eye clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital on 52 patients with ocular Primary Herpes Simplex Virus (PHSV) and Recurrent Herpes Simplex Virus (RHSV) ulcerative keratitis who underwent treatment with two topical antivirals, 0.1% Idoxuridine (IDU) eye drops and 3% Vidarabine eye ointment.

The results of the study showed:

1. Both antiviral agents were equally effective in the treatment of PHSV and RHSV ulcerative keratitis.

2. IDU had a mean healing time of 11.4 days compared to

11.2 days of Vidarabine.

3. 70% of the geographic ulcers healed within 14 days of IDU, while 100% of the ulcers healed within 14 days on Vidarabine.

4. Vidarabine was shown to be comparatively superior to IDU in terms of Less adverse side effects (less toxicity).