Effect of acyclovir on acute and latent herpes simplex virus infections in the rabbit.
Acyclovir, a new potent antiviral drug, was used to treat herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the rabbit ocular model. Acyclovir (3% ointment) used topically one to five times a day on acute ocular HSV infection gave beneficial results as measured by a reduction in corneal involvement, conjunctivitis, iritis, and corneal clouding. Topical treatment did not prevent the establishment of latent HSV infection. Intravenous acyclovir used two times a day (50 mg/kg) on rabbits with latent HSV infection appeared to suppress HSV in the nervous system but did not eradicate established latent HSV infection.
D000212:Acyclovir; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007635:Keratitis, Dendritic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006147:Guanine; D000212:Acyclovir