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OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of antiviral agent valacyclovir compared with famciclovir in the treatment of herpes zoster. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative study was conducted over a period of 1 year. Data relevant to the study were collected from 60 patients, with active herpes zoster presenting to the outpatient department within 72 hr of the first occurrence of zoster rash. They were divided in to two groups of 30 patients each. The first group of patients received valacyclovir tablet 1000 mg thrice daily, whereas those in the second group were given famciclovir tablet 500 mg thrice daily. Both the drugs were given for 7 days. Periodic follow-up till 29 th day was done for assessment of the effects of given drugs. RESULTS: Significant decrease was observed on comparison of pain scores between the two groups using the visual analog scale, with the drug valacyclovir, than in the famciclovir group at day 29. Furthermore, valacyclovir treatment accelerated the resolution of zoster associated pain in more number of patients compared with famciclovir. CONCLUSION: Oral valacyclovir administered during acute zoster infection for a period of 7 days offers significant benefit compared to famciclovir by providing a well tolerated and greater resolution of pain while maintaining the favorable safety profile, making valacyclovir more efficacious and a better drug in management of Herpes Zoster in comparison to famciclovir.

Purpose The main aim of this study was to detect the presence of JAK2 mutation and its assessment in relation to the clinical, hematological, and mutational profile of young patients with established polycythemia. Methods Cross-sectional observational study was undertaken over a period of 1 year in a tertiary care center. Sixty patients were included in our study between the age 18 and 50 years with confirmed diagnosis of polycythemia vera. Reports of all the investigations including bone marrow biopsy and JAK2 mutation testing were assessed. Results Presence of JAK2 mutation V617F was found in 38% patients, while bone marrow panmyelosis was present in 67% patients. Higher mean hemoglobin levels were observed in JAK2 mutation-positive patients, compared with those who were negative. Thrombosis-related complications were observed in five patients, all of whom were JAK2 mutation positive, while out of the 18 patients requiring phlebotomy, 15 patients were JAK2 mutation positive. Conclusion JAK2 mutation V617F in young Indian population is seen in significantly less cases as compared with Western data, while bone marrow panmyelosis is frequently observed and thus a significant finding for diagnosing polycythemia in our setting. Median hemoglobin was greater for JAK2 mutation-positive cases and so were the phlebotomy requirements and thrombotic events occurrences. Forty-two percent patients had history of some exposure to high-altitude areas adhering to the fact that high altitude is an established risk factor for developing polycythemia and the same is reinforced by our study.

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