title: Early therapy with valaciclovir or famciclovir reduces but does not abrogate herpes simplex virus neuronal latency.
abstract: Mice were infected via the ear pinna using a recombinant strain of HSV-1 expressing the beta-gal gene under the LAT promoter. Mice were treated continuously with valaciclovir or famciclovir, from 1 day before or 1 day after virus inoculation for 10 days. Ipsilateral and contralateral trigeminal and cervical ganglia were later assessed by co-cultivation or for X-Gal-positive or LAT-positive neurons. Latency was markedly reduced by early therapy, however, a basal level of HSV-1-positive neurons was detected in all mice.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Veterinary Science, Cambridge University Veterinary School.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Thackray
mesh_terms: D015075:2-Aminopurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077595:Famciclovir; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009474:Neurons / Q000821:virology*; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000821:virology; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011355:Prodrugs; D015075:2-Aminopurine; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000077595:Famciclovir; D000212:Acyclovir