title: Evaluation of varicella-zoster antiviral drugs by a nucleic acid hybridization assay.
abstract: A simple nucleic acid hybridization assay was developed for the evaluation of antiviral compounds with activity against varicella-zoster virus. Antiviral-induced reduction in varicella-zoster virus DNA, as measured by hybridization with 32P-labeled probes, correlated with drug-induced inhibition of viral cytopathic effect in cell culture. Three compounds were shown to be more potent than acyclovir at inhibiting varicella-zoster virus in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital Research Foundation, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH 45229.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Stanberry
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000212:Acyclovir