title: Inhibition of HSV-1 and vaccinia virus replication by cephalosporin derivatives.
abstract: Derivatives of beta-lactam antibiotics of the cephalosporin type at 0.02-1 mM concentrations interfered with in vitro replication of two DNA-containing viruses, herpes simplex I and vaccinia, but showed no effects on two RNA-viruses, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and vesicular stomatitis virus, or on cell viability. The exact structure of the active compounds remains unknown, but opening of the beta-lactam ring appears to be a prerequisite for their formation. Whereas cephalosporin derivatives were most active, no active products were obtained from penicillins and monobactams. The potential of these unexpected antiviral effects of widely used beta-lactam antibiotics remains subject of further study.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cottagnoud
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Neftel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hany
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Zinkernagel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000494:pharmacology; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014709:Vero Cells; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D010400:Penicillin G