Interferon efficiency in the treatment of herpetic dermatites. II. Comparison between human leukocyte interferon (Ginterferon) and a recombinant interferon (Roferon).

The comparative efficiency of a recombinant interferon-Roferon (R-IFN) and a human, naturally synthetized interferon-Ginterferon (G-IFN), applied as ointments in the treatment of herpetic dermatites, was studied in a blind trial. It was found that R-IFN in doses of 20,000 IU/g has practically similar results as G-IFN in doses of 10,000 IU/g therefore half the dose of the former product. Thus both preparations reduced significantly the mean duration of a herpetic dermatitis attack and both proved more efficient on smaller lesions (less than 2 sq.cm) than on larger ones (over 2 sq.cm). Likewise with both preparations the reduction of the healing period was more marked when administered in the first 2-3 days after onset. It was also found that the arrest of new vesicle appearance after two days of treatment is a reliable clinical criterion for the estimation of IFN capacity to block effectively viral multiplication in the host's epithelial cells. Finally the efficacy of both R-IFN and G-IFN proved similar whatever the localization of disease (oral or genital) or in their capacity to prevent relapses or the appearance of bacterial complications.