Systemic corticosteroid and antiviral co-therapy in acute herpetic gingivostomatitis: an exploratory study

Héric de Souza Camargo; Andréia Bufalino; Elaine Maria Sgavioli Massucato; Déborah Dayely Silveira de Oliveira; Cláudia Maria Navarro

doi:10.5327/2525-5711.397

Authors

Héric de Souza Camargo São Paulo State University, School of Dentistry, Department of Diagnosis and Surgery – Araraquara (SP), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6347-1510
Andréia Bufalino São Paulo State University, School of Dentistry, Department of Diagnosis and Surgery – Araraquara (SP), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6714-6253
Elaine Maria Sgavioli Massucato São Paulo State University, School of Dentistry, Department of Diagnosis and Surgery – Araraquara (SP), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1121-7868
Déborah Dayely Silveira de Oliveira São Paulo State University, School of Dentistry, Department of Diagnosis and Surgery – Araraquara (SP), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8999-2032
Cláudia Maria Navarro São Paulo State University, School of Dentistry, Department of Diagnosis and Surgery – Araraquara (SP), Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3185-2826

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5327/2525-5711.397

Keywords:

AHGS, Corticosteroids, Antiviral therapy, HSV-1, Logistic regression

Abstract

Objective: This study compared the treatment of acute herpetic gingivostomatitis (AHGS) using antiviral therapy alone versus combined antiviral and systemic corticosteroid therapy. Methods: This retrospective case series included 20 consecutively selected records from a postgraduate oral medicine clinic. Patients received either acyclovir alone (200 mg, 5 days) or acyclovir plus prednisone (20 mg, 5 days). Clinical features, symptom progression, and healing time were extracted from descriptive clinical notes by a single examiner. Comparative statistics used the Mann–Whitney test, with 95% confidence intervals, and an exploratory logistic regression was performed to identify potential predictors of prolonged healing (≥7 days). Results: Patients receiving combined therapy showed an observed difference toward faster symptom relief and healing. Logistic regression indicated a trend toward lower odds of prolonged healing in the combination group (OR 0.01; 95%CI 0.00–1.66) and a borderline effect of age on healing duration. No adverse effects were recorded. Conclusion: Combined antiviral and corticosteroid therapy may be associated with an observed difference toward faster symptom resolution and healing compared with antiviral therapy alone. These findings are exploratory, and prospective studies are needed to confirm clinical benefit.

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