Volume 32, issue 4
Case report
The effect of lithium therapy on the herpes simplex virus – a case study
Agata Świerkosz1, Marcin Siwek2, Dominika Dudek2
1. Oddział Kliniczny Psychiatrii Dorosłych, Szpital Uniwersytecki w Krakowie
2. Zakład Zaburzeń Afektywnych Katedry Psychiatrii, Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Collegium Medicum
Keywords: lithium, bipolar disorder, herpes simplex virus
Abstract
Herpes Simplex viruses are among the most widespread human pathogens. It is estimated that over one-third of the global population is infected by HSV. In Poland, 89.9% of the population has the specific antibodies for HSV-1 virus, women being at a greater risk of exposure. In this paper, we present a case study of a patient with bipolar disorder, who experienced a remission of herpes lesions during lithium therapy and a relapse after the discontinuation of treatment.
Address for correspondence:
Agata Świerkosz
Oddział Kliniczny Psychiatrii Dorosłych
Szpital Uniwersytecki w Krakowie
ul. Kopernika 21A
31-501 Kraków
Poland
phone: +48 12 424 87 06
email: agata.swierkosz@gmail.com