Editor-in-Chief: Alaa Abd-Elsayed, MD, PhD
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BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster-associated pain (ZAP) is a challenging neuropathic condition. Clinical reports suggest that a 35kDa hyaluronan fragment (HA35) may effectively relieve this pain with a single local injection. However, evidence of a complete cure is limited.
CASE REPORT: Two patients were treated—one with acute shingles pain diagnosed 10 days prior, and one with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) diagnosed a year ago. Pain scores before treatment were 7 for Patient 1, and 4 (average) and 8 (most severe) for Patient 2. Clinicians administered varying doses of HA35 based on pain level and disease duration. Both patients reported significantly reduced Visual Analog Scale pain scores and notable improvements in mental state, appetite, and sleep quality.
CONCLUSIONS: HA35 not only safely and effectively alleviates and cures ZAP, including acute pain and PHN, without causing side effects, but also improves related issues, such as appetite, sleep, and daily interactions affected by pain.
KEY WORDS: Herpes zoster-associated pain, acute pain, postherpetic neuralgia, low-molecular-weight hyaluronan HA35, pain treatment
