Detection of Viruses associated with Herpes Labialis Patients in Babylon Province Pre and Post Treatment with Low Power Laser Therapy (Diode Laser)

Abstract

Abstract Background: The secondary or recurrent herpetic infections (RHIs) are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) type-1 and type-2. low-power laser therapy 940 nm may consider one of the best and most optimistic and optional local therapeutic and biological options. Objectives: To determine both molecular detection and viral load of HSV-1 and HSV-2 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) pre- and post-diode laser therapy 940 nm for evaluating the laser efficacy. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients in age range 6–48 years have participated in this clinical trial study complaining from RHI. Sixty viral swabs were taken for those thirty participant patients including 30 swabs pre and 30 swabs post 3–5 days. Diode laser therapy 940 nm for biostimulation, real-time PCR for accurate detection of both HSV-1 and HSV-2. Results: The results in this present study showed mean age range of RHI patients was 25.7 ± 12.1 years with a male ratio more than the female 1.5:1. Overall participants were infected with HSV type-1, whereas 3 (10%) of the participants were noninfected with HSV type-2. There was a significant increase in HSV type-1 PCR threshold cycle (Ct) mean of RHI patients after treatment with diode laser therapy 940 nm which means decreasing in the viral load. Conclusions: The real-time PCR technique is a highly efficient, reliable, and rapid technique for accurate diagnosis and viral load measuring of HSV-1 and HSV-2. Low-power laser therapy is utilized to reduce pain levels, change the state of disease from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory, and may reduce the viral load.