title: In vitro and in vivo inhibition of myxoma virus by treatment with phosphonoacetic acid.
abstract: Both myxoma and fibroma viruses were found to be sensitive in vitro to the effects of phosphonoacetic acid. Detectable myxoma virus replication was inhibited at a drug concentration of 100 micrograms/ml. Fibroma virus replication was inhibited at a concentration of 500 micrograms/ml. Because of this difference in sensitivity, myxoma virus was used to infect rabbits to test that efficacy of phosphonoacetic acid in the treatment of a systemic viral disease. Rabbits were given 400 mg kg-1 day-1 of phosphonoacetic acid subcutaneously in two injections. Phosphonoacetic acid-treated animals showed a reduction in the severity of disease. Neither serum viral antigen nor infectious virus could be detected. In phosphate buffered saline-treated animals both serum viral antigen and infectious virus were found. All animals treated with phosphate buffered saline died of myxomatosis.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D009233:Myxoma virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D009234:Myxomatosis, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010746:Phosphonoacetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010746:Phosphonoacetic Acid