Therapeutic evaluation of intradermal injection of inflamed rabbit skin inoculated with vaccinia virus in herpes zoster patients and incidence of postherpetic neuralgia

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of intradermal injection of extract from rabbit skin inflamed by vaccinia virus in the treatment of herpes zoster and prevention of postherpetic neuralgia. Methods Thirty seven patients in group A were received intradermal injection of inflamed rabbit skin extracts inoculated with vaccinia virus and lidocaine, and thirty seven patients in group B were treated with intradermal injection of lidocaine. And the following indicators, including herpes evaluation index, pain intensity, postherpetic neuralgia incidence, and comprehensive therapeutic effect were compared between the two groups after 11, 22, 30 and 60 days follow-up. Results The time for ceasing new blister, blister incrustation and decrustation, pain relief and pain intensity in Group A were significantly superior to those in group B (P<0.05). And the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia in Group A was significantly lower than that of Group B at 30 days of follow-up (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the two groups at 60 and 90 days of follow-up (all P<0.05). Overall, the total clinical effective rate of Group A (91.9℅) was better than Group B (64.9℅) (P<0.05). Conclusion The treatment of intradermal injection of extract from rabbit skin inflamed by vaccinia virus can effectively shorten the course of the disease, reduce the pain intensity and prevent the development of postherpetic neuralgia. Key words: Extract from rabbit skin inflamed by vaccinia virus; Intradermal injection; Herpes zoster; Postherpetic neuralgia