Interferon efficiency in the treatment of herpetic dermatites. I. A double-blind placebo controlled study.

The effect of an alpha human leukocyte interferon (IFN) locally applied as an ointment in herpetic dermatitis was investigated in a double blind trial. It was observed that IFN reduced significantly by 25-42% the mean healing period of attacks. This reduction was more important if the period till disappearance of vesicles was considered than if the period till complete epithelialization was taken into consideration. Likewise IFN was proved more effective if administered within the first 2-3 days after onset of attacks than 5 days after. As compared with the group which received placebo the effect of IFN was more marked when the size of the lesions was smaller than 2 sq. cm. IFN did not reduce significantly the number of cases with bacterial superinfections nor the rate of relapses in the first three months after treatment. These results suggest that alpha IFN administered as an ointment is an efficient agent in blocking viral multiplication and therefore useful in the treatment of herpetic dermatitides whatever their localization.