Idoxuridine in Herpes Simplex Virus (Type 1) Encephalitis

Abstract

We studied 29 patients with herpes simplex virus, type 1, encephalitis in Michigan between 1966 and 1971. Twenty patients were treated intravenously with idoxuridine at doses of up to 86 mg/kg body weight per day for 5 days. Overall mortality (among patients surviving for 48 hours after hospitalization) in the treated and supportive groups was 33%. Mortality was greatest in patients over 50 years of age (67%). However, 9 of the 12 idoxuridine-treated survivors are well today, whereas 1 of the 6 nontreated living patients is well. If 54 mg/kg body weight of idoxuridine is given intravenously for 5 days in two divided, rapid infusions (50 mg/min), pharmacologic effects are maximal and toxicity minimal. No patient should be given a total dose of more than 20 g of idoxuridine.