Quantitation of herpes simplex DNA in blood during aciclovir therapy with competitive PCR ELISA

Background: Monitoring viral load in blood has already been introduced into clinical routine for human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus. Objective: This study was conducted to monitor the decline of herpes simplex (HSV) viral load in the blood of a patient with gingivostomatitis herpetica prior and during aciclovir therapy. Methods: Analysis was done by quantitative PCR ELISA using an internal quantitation standard. Results: Copy numbers were 66/mul blood prior to therapy, 60 during oral medication with valaciclovir, 97 and 72 copies/mul blood during the first 2 days of intravenous aciclovir therapy, followed by a sharp decline to 8 and 9 copies on days 3 and 4, During the following days, HSV was no longer detectable. Conclusion: As this quantitative approach can be easily adjusted to any other PCR, it provides a reliable, easy-to-apply method for monitoring therapy, also during new antiviral clinical trials. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.