Inhibition of Varicella Virus by 5-Iodo-2'-deoxyuridine

Abstract

Summary Although 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (5-IDU) has some effect on the multiplication of human fibroblasts in tissue culture, it also markedly prevents cytopathic effects of varicella-zoster virus even when added to the tissue culture in concentrations of 5 μg/ml as long as 3 days after challenge with the virus. The compound will inhibit further plaque formation even after cytopathic effects are already evident. Production of plaque-forming virus particles is likewise suppressed by the compound. These findings provide indirect evidence that varicella-zoster virus is a DNA virus, and they suggest that perhaps this compound might find some use in cases of serious human disease produced by this virus.