Abstract
We report a case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated, acyclovir-refractory genital herpes infection treated with topical imidazoquinoline therapy. The patient's plasmacytoid dendritic cells made a robust interferon-α response following in vitro stimulation with imidazoquinoline but not with herpes simplex virus. We hypothesize that disease resulting from defective herpes simplex virus-stimulated interferon-α may be overcome by stimulating intact alternative pathways.
