Chemotherapy of Virus Infections

Abstract

Chemotherapy has become increasingly effective in attenuating the striking power of protozoal and bacterial diseases, but, except in isolated instances, this approach to the control of virus diseases has been unsuccessful. The exceptions, lymphopathia venereum, trachoma, inclusion blenorrhea, mouse pneumonitis and some members of the ornithosis group, are susceptible in varying degree to sulfonamides and penicillin (1). In a sense, this susceptibility to chemotherapeutic attack separates these diseases from the greater number of virus infections and suggests their more immediate descent from bacteria responsive to usual chemotherapeutic measures. It should be noted even here, that while the animals may be saved, active virus can sometimes be recovered from them. Although infections by viruses other than the noted exceptions may be influenced, and even controlled, by natural immune bodies, and by “interference” from other viruses, ordinary medicinal therapy has failed completely.