Advances in Antiviral Strategies for Oral Herpes Infections in Immunocompromised Patients

Abstract

Objective: This review explores conventional antiviral therapies and innovative treatment strategies for managing oral herpes simplex virus (HSV) or human herpesvirus (HHV) infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. It aims to evaluate clinical outcomes, address challenges such as drug resistance, and assess the sustainability of current and emerging therapeutic approaches. Subject: A descriptive review of current treatment strategies for oral HSV infections in immunosuppressed individuals is presented. Relevant studies are analyzed for their contributions, highlighting therapeutic advancements, limitations of existing drugs, and novel approaches in development. Results: Oral herpesvirus infections can lead to considerable morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Resistance to standard antivirals often develops due to prolonged or inconsistent use and impaired cell-mediated immunity. To overcome these issues, innovative strategies like gene therapy, RNA interference (RNAi), and CRISPR-Cas9 have emerged. These approaches aim to suppress viral gene expression, strengthen innate immunity, and genetically modify host cells to resist viral entry and replication. Conclusion: Emerging antiviral therapies show promise in addressing the limitations of conventional treatments, particularly drug resistance and non-specific targeting. These novel approaches offer more effective, precise, and safer options for treating oral viral infections in immunosuppressed populations at heightened risk for severe outcomes. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.