Effects of cidofovir on cell death and replication of feline herpesvirus-1 in cultured feline corneal epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of cidofovir on viability of feline corneal epithelial (FCE) cells, replication of feline herpesvirus (FHV)-1, and virus-induced cytopathic changes.


METHODS
Healthy eyes from 14 recently euthanatized cats.


METHODS
Cidofovir at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.000005 mg/mL was added to primary cultures of FCE cells, and cytopathic changes and effects on cell proliferation and cell viability were determined during the subsequent 48 hours. Efficacy of cidofovir (0.02 and 0.05 mg/mL) to prevent in vitro infection of FCE cells with FHV-1 was determined during 72 hours of culture by assessing viral cytopathic effects and viral titers.


RESULTS
Cidofovir at concentrations of 0.05, 0.005, and 0.0005 mg/mL significantly reduced mean viable cell counts, and cidofovir at a concentration of 0.05 mg/mL significantly reduced the percentage viability of cultured FCE cells. Minimal cytopathic changes were observed at concentrations of 0.02 and 0.05 mg of cidofovir/mL. Cidofovir at concentrations of 0.05 and 0.02 mg/mL abrogated the cytopathic effects attributable to FHV-1 infection and reduced viral titers from > or =10(14) TCID(50)/mL to < or =10(3.5) TCID50/mL.


CONCLUSIONS
Cidofovir in vitro was highly efficacious against FHV-1 infection of a primary culture of FCE cells but had cytostatic effects on cultured cells.
Sandmeyer
Lynne S
LS
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
Keller
Charlotte B
CB
Bienzle
Dorothee
D
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002415:Cats; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D000077404:Cidofovir; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D053558:Keratin-3; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000662:veterinary; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; C479360:KRT3 protein, human; D053558:Keratin-3; D063065:Organophosphonates; D007633:Keratins; D003596:Cytosine; D000077404:Cidofovir