title: Parapoxviruses are strongly inhibited in vitro by cidofovir.
abstract: Three parapoxviruses which cause orf or related diseases in humans and animals and the orthopoxvirus, vaccinia virus, were tested for their in vitro sensitivity to cidofovir. The 50% inhibitory concentration for the three parapoxviruses was between 0.21 and 0.27 microg/ml and for vaccinia was 1.32 microg/ml. The selectivity index varied from 198 to 264 for the parapoxviruses and was 42 for vaccinia virus. Virus yield assays confirmed the ability of cidofovir to reduce ortho- and parapoxvirus replication. The efficacy of cidofovir against parapoxviruses justifies its evaluation as a candidate drug for the treatment of parapoxvirus infections in humans and animals.
authors.affiliation: Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, EH26 0PZ, Edinburgh, UK. nettp@mri.sari.ac.uk
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Nettleton
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gilray
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mercer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D000077404:Cidofovir; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D063065:Organophosphonates; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018157:Parapoxvirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011213:Poxviridae Infections / Q000821:virology; D012756:Sheep; D014615:Vaccinia / Q000821:virology; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000187:drug effects; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D063065:Organophosphonates; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D003596:Cytosine; D000077404:Cidofovir