Clinical Trial: Phase III Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of Acyclovir Oral Suspension for Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection Limited to the Skin, Eyes, and Mouth

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title:

Brief Summary:

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine whether acyclovir (ACV) oral suspension suppresses recurrent skin lesions and improves neurologic outcome in neonates with localized herpes simplex virus type 2 infection when administered for 6 months in a placebo-controlled study.

II. Determine whether the prevention of recurrent skin lesions reduces long-term neurologic morbidity.

III. Determine whether resistant disease develops after oral ACV therapy. IV. Evaluate the natural history of recurrent skin lesions. V. Measure any adverse effects and laboratory abnormalities associated with long-term oral ACV therapy in infants and young children.

Detailed Summary:

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double-blind study. Patients are stratified by participating institution.

All patients are treated with intravenous acyclovir for 14 days. Patients are then randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups if the following criteria are met: no systemic disease involvement, documented by negative cerebrospinal fluid exam, brain computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging; and entry criteria continue to be met.

Randomized treatment begins 8 hours after the final dose of intravenous acyclovir. One group is treated with oral acyclovir, while the control group receives an oral placebo.

Treatment continues for 6 months in the absence of unacceptable toxicity, systemic disease, and 2 or more recurrences of skin lesions. Patients are followed at 6 months, then yearly for at least 4 years.

The study duration is estimated to be 4 years.

Sponsor: National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)

Current Primary Outcome:

Original Primary Outcome:

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: Office of Rare Diseases (ORD)

Dates:
Date Received: February 24, 2000
Date Started: August 1992
Date Completion:
Last Updated: June 23, 2005
Last Verified: January 1998