A rapid and reliable assay for testing acyclovir sensitivity of clinical herpes simplex virus isolates independent of virus dose and reading time.
The determination of acyclovir (ACV) sensitivity of clinical herpes simplex virus (HSV) isolates was studied by means of a cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibitory assay (CIA). Medium of HSV-infected Vero cells was supplemented with different ACV concentrations. The CPE was read quantitatively by light microscopy. The inhibitory dose for 50% CPE reduction (ID50) was calculated by applying 1st or 3rd degree regression lines, and aspects of different methods for calculation are discussed. The CIA proved highly reproducible. Surprisingly, the obtained ACV-ID50 values were independent of reading time and virus dose used in the test. In comparison to dye-uptake assay, CIA could be evaluated earlier. Therefore, CIA provides simple, rapid, and precise determination of ACV sensitivity of clinical HSV-isolates which can be achieved within 1 or 2 days after the virus has been isolated out of a clinical specimen.
Kruppenbacher
J P
JP
Institut für Virologie, Universität zu Köln, Germany.
Kläss
R
R
Eggers
H J
HJ
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D000212:Acyclovir