Effect of laser phototherapy on recurring herpes labialis prevention: an in vivo study

Abstract

Alternative treatment for recurrent labial infection by herpes simplex virus (HSV) have been considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of laser phototherapy in prevention and reduction of severity of labial manifestations of herpes labialis virus. Seventy-one patients, divided into experimental (n = 41) and control (n = 30) groups were followed up for 16 months. Patients in the control group were treated topically with aciclovir and patients in the experimental group were subjected to laser phototherapy (one session per week, 10 weeks): 780 nm, 60 mW, 3.0 J/cm(2) or 4.5 J/cm(2) on healthy (no HSV-1 infection) and affected (with HSV-1 infection) tissues. Patients in the experimental group presented a significant decrease in dimension of herpes labialis lesions (P = 0.013) and inflammatory edema (P = 0.031). The reduction in pain level (P = 0.051) and monthly recurrences (P = 0.076) did not reach statistical significance. This study represents an in vivo indication that this treatment should be further considered as an effective alternative to therapeutic regimens for herpes labialis lesions.

Oral shedding of human herpesviruses in patients undergoing radiotherapy/chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is not affected by xerostomia

“…However, there was no correlation between HSV-1 oral shedding and onset or worsening of xerostomia as well as no correlation with RT times either. A possible hypothesis for this lack of correlation with the degrees of xerostomia may be the control of the oral excretion of HSV-1 by the application of low-level laser, with similar results to the control of herpes labialis lesions [27–33]. …”

Application of soft laser in the treatment of Herpes labialis: Pilot study

“…Sa druge strane, ne treba zaboraviti da se imuni sistem takođe nalazi pod uticajem lasera 17,20 . Neki autori sugerišu da imune ćelije protiv HSV-1 virusa takođe proliferišu i aktivne su protiv virusne infekcije 21,22 . De Carvalho et al 21 .…”

Recurrent herpes simplex infections: laser therapy as a potential tool for long-term successful treatment

“…For patient 2, who had more extensive and painful ulcerations, LLLT was suggested, since its biostimulating properties promptly reduce discomfort and pain, while simultaneously accelerating tissue reparation. Morevoer, LLLT preserves the tissues and can be repeatedly used without posing a serious risks to the patient, as shown by in vitro studies, where cells were maintained 100% viable when the same protocol was used 7,8 . The management of herpetic infection is indeed challenging, since none of the different methods of treatment guarantees full remission 9 .…”

“…However, its efficacy in long-term suppression of herpes simplex infections has yet to be established. In vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted 7,8 and positive outcomes have been shown to be directly related to the number of treatment sessions and the virus type.…”

“…The analysis performed was focused on aspects that could be generalized for the treatment course of a wide range of ulcerative lesions of the oral cavity: location; underlying conditions or associated infections or coinfections; impact on the quality of life; functional discomfort; skin trauma; and that feasibility of a clinical evaluation of the patient's partner 7,8 . Currently, no definitive therapy has been described for HSV infections; however, medications and laser therapy (LLLT) could reduce the severity and recurrence of lesions.…”