To provide oral sorivudine ( BV-araU ) to pediatric HIV-infected patients with varicella-zoster viral disease who have failed or are intolerant of alternative therapy.

Any physician qualified to treat pediatric AIDS patients may enroll patients in this study.

Inclusion Criteria

Patients must have:

• HIV infection.
• Cutaneous, visceral, or ocular varicella-zoster viral infection.
• Refractory or intolerant to acyclovir or foscarnet therapy.
• Consent of parent or guardian.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

• Inability to take oral capsules or tolerate liquids.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

• 5-flucytosine, 5-fluorouracil, high-dose prednisone, or probenecid.

Patients with the following prior condition are excluded:

History of immediate hypersensitivity to nucleoside analogues.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

• 5-flucytosine, 5-fluorouracil, high-dose prednisone, or probenecid within 4 weeks prior to study entry.

Required:

• Prior acyclovir or foscarnet.