Chemotherapy of Cutaneous Herpesvirus Infection of Hairless Mice

A hairless mouse-herpes simplex virus system was used to evaluate the efficacy of a variety of antiviral compounds, inducers of interferon (IF) and exogenous IF. In this model herpes simplex virus produces a local lesion which can be readily examined. Of the DNA virus inhibitors studied, 9-β-D-arabinofuranosyladenine delayed the onset and reduced the incidence and severity of cutaneous herpetic lesions. Topical application of kethoxal cream (3-ethoxy-2-oxobutyradehyde hydrate) produced a marked suppression of the skin lesions. Cytosine arabinoside was inactive. Of the inducers of IF tested, polyriboinosinic: polyribocytidylic acid and tilorone hydrochloride (2,7-bis[2-(diethylamino)ethoxy]-fluoren-9-one dihydrochloride) did not prevent lesion formation. Exogenous IF was also without effect.