title: In vivo antiviral activity of recombinant type alpha interferon A in monkeys with infections due to simian varicella virus.
abstract: Recombinant type alpha interferon A (rIFN-alpha-A) administered to African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) intramuscularly in a dose of 3 X 10(6) units/kg of body weight resulted in substantial blood levels of interferon. Peak levels of greater than 1,000 units/ml of serum appeared at 1 and 2 hr after inoculation and interferon was detectable for as long as 12 hr after inoculation. Injection of rIFN-alpha-A at a dose of 10(6) units/kg twice daily for eight days effectively inhibited simian varicella virus infection of the African green monkey. Antiviral activity was demonstrated in monkeys with prophylactic treatment begun 4 hr prior to virus inoculation or with therapeutic treatment deferred until 44 hr after virus inoculation. No adverse effects of treatment were observed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I