Recombinant Human Interferon-αA Treatment of an Experimental Cutaneous Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection of Guinea Pigs

Abstract

Recombinant human interferon-αA (rIFN-αA) was evaluated for therapeutic efficacy against an experimental dorsal cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection of guinea pigs. Human IFN has activity in this species. Animals were treated either systemically (i.m.) or topically with different formulations of rIFN-αA. Therapy was initiated 24 h before (-24 h), 30 min after (+0.5 h), or 24 h following (+24 h) virus inoculation, and treatment was continued for 3-5 days. Efficacy was evaluated on day 4 following infection. Treatment with rIFN-αA given systemically beginning at -24 h was effective, reducing lesion number, total lesion area, and lesion virus titer by 64%, 85%, and 98% respectively (p < 0.001). Efficacy diminished with delay in initiation of i.m. therapy. Topical rIFN-αA formulations were generally ineffective, showing only a marginal effect with therapy initiated -24 h or +0.5 h and no effect when treatment was delayed to +24 h. In summary, rIFN-αA is effective against cutaneous HSV-1 infection in this model if therapy is initiated prophylactically and if drug delivery is assured by systemic injection. Topical application of rIFN-αA showed little therapeutic effect. The large molecular weight of IFN likely retards its percutaneous delivery.