Effects of 5-Idoo-2-Desoxyuridine (IDU) on Herpesvirus Synthesis and Survival in Infected Cells

Treatment of cells with IDU immediately following a 2-hr period of virus adsorption completely suppressed the production of new infectious virus but did not prevent the synthesis of new viral components. Both fluorescent and electron microscopy revealed the formation of large amounts of viral material in drug-treated, infected cells, although most input infectious virus disappeared. Ragged, naked, structurally imperfect particles were produced in the presence of IDU. It appeared, therefore, that the antiviral activity of IDU was due to an interruption in the assembly of viral components, not in their production.