A Comparison of 882C87 Versus Acyclovir in the Treatment of Herpes Zoster in Patients With Weakened Immune Systems

Inclusion Criteria Patients must have: * Acute localized herpes zoster or rash present less than 72 hours, verified by clinical diagnosis. * Immunocompromised condition primarily as a result of documented HIV infection, malignancy, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, solid organ or bone marrow transplant, or chronic immunosuppressive therapy. * Life expectancy of at least 6 months. * Ability to cooperate with the requirements of the study. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded: * Evidence of cutaneous or visceral dissemination (more than 20 discrete lesions outside adjacent dermatomes). * Acute, life-threatening condition. * Significant malabsorption syndrome or other gastrointestinal dysfunction that may severely reduce drug absorption. * Intolerance of oral medication. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: * Tricyclic antidepressants or anti-epileptics. * Topical applications to the zoster lesions that would obscure evaluation. * Fluorouracil and flucytosine. * Systemic therapy with agents with antiherpetic activity (from 2 weeks prior to first dose to day 28 of study). * Probenecid or other drugs likely to affect elimination of study drugs (from 2 days prior to first dose to day 14 of the study). * Capsaicin (Zostrix). * Warfarin (Coumadin) during 14 days of treatment. Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded: History of intolerance, hypersensitivity, or severe drug reaction to acyclovir. Prior Medication: Excluded: * Systemic therapy with agents with antiherpetic activity (including interferon) within the past 2 weeks. * Probenecid or other drugs likely to affect the elimination of 882C87 or acyclovir within the past 48 hours. * Drugs likely to interact with 882C87 (e.g., fluorouracil or flucytosine) within the past 7 days. * Zoster immune globulin or zoster immune plasma within the previous month. History of alcohol or drug abuse within the previous 6 months or current methadone therapy.