Comparative study of transfer factor and acyclovir in the treatment of
herpes zoster. Int J Immunopharmacol 1998 Oct;20(10):521-35 (ISSN:
0192-0561) Estrada-Parra S; Nagaya A; Serrano E; Rodriguez O;
Santamaria V; Ondarza R; Chavez R; Correa B; Monges A; Cabezas R; Calva
C; Estrada-Garcia I
Department of Immunology, National School of Biological Sciences,
National Polytechnic Institute, Prol. Carpio Y Plan de Ayala, Mexico,
D.F. i-estrad@bios.encb.ipn.mx. Reactivation of varicella herpes virus
(VHV), latent in individuals who have previously suffered varicella,
gives rise to herpes zoster and in some cases leads to a sequela of
post herpetic neuritis with severe pain which is refractory to
analgesics. Many different antiviral agents have been tried without
achieving satisfactory results. Of all the antiviral agents employed,
acyclovir has been the most successful in reducing post herpetic pain.
However acyclovir has not been as reliable as interferon alpha
(IFN-alpha). We have previously looked into the use of transfer factor
(TF) as a modulator of the immune system, specifically with respect to
its effectiveness in the treatment of herpes zoster. In this work
findings from a comparative clinical evaluation are presented. A double
blind clinical trial of TF vs acyclovir was carried out in which 28
patients, presenting acute stage herpes zoster, were randomly assigned
to either treatment group. Treatment was administered for seven days
and the patients were subsequently submitted to daily clinical
observation for an additional 14 days. An analogue visual scale was
implemented in order to record pain and thereby served as the clinical
parameter for scoring results. The group treated with TF was found to
have a more favorable clinical course, P < or = 0.015. Laboratory tests
to assess the immune profile of the patients were performed two days
prior and 14 days after initial treatment. The results of these tests
showed an increase in IFN-gamma levels, augmentation in the CD4+ cell
population but not the percentage of T rosettes in the TF treated
group. These parameters were however insignificantly modified in
patients receiving acyclovir. Although TF treated patients showed an
increase in CD4+ counts these cells remained below the levels for
healthy individuals. The fact that IFN-gamma levels as well as the
counts for CD4+ cells rose in the TF treated group and not in the
acyclovir one is very significant and confirms the immunomodulating
properties of TF.

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