The activity of iododeoxyuridine, adenine arabinoside, cytosine arabinoside, ribavirin and phosphonoacetic acid against herpes virus in the hairless mouse model

Abstract

The activity of five known herpes virus inhibitors against cutaneous lesions induced by herpes simplex virus type 1 in hairless mice is described. The influence of route, dosing schedule and vehicle on the activity of these compounds was examined. Topical administration of 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine in dimethylsuiphoxide reduced lesion scores and mortality. Ribavirin and adenine arabinoside were inactive by this route, but they delayed lesion development when dosed intraperitoneally. Phosphonoacetic acid markedly reduced the severity of lesions and increased survival in mice treated both topically and intraperitoneally. Topical treatment with phosphonoacetic acid could be delayed until 48 h after infection, and activity was still retained, whereas 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine given at this time was inactive. No activity was seen with cytosine arabinoside.