FIG. 1.

Transition of VZV DNA load in patients with RHS and ZSH. ●, VZV DNA copies, expressed as the copy number/50 μl of saliva (logarithmic scales). Dotted lines indicate the minimum detection level of VZV DNA. (A) Patient with RHS in whom zoster and facial palsy appeared simultaneously (day 0). This patient was treated with acyclovir by infusion at 750 mg per day for 7 days. The VZV DNA levels gradually decreased and became undetectable on day 8. (B) Patient with RHS who exhibited zoster 6 days after the onset of facial palsy. Acyclovir treatment (4,000 mg in tablets daily for 7 days) started on day 5 before the appearance of zoster because VZV DNA was detected in saliva obtained on day 4. The VZV DNA levels peaked 1 day before the appearance of skin lesions. (C) A patient with ZSH treated with acyclovir by infusion at 750 mg per day for 5 days. The VZV copy number gradually decreased and became undetectable on day 6. (D) A patient with ZSH who did not receive antiviral therapy. The VZV copy number peaked on day 5.