In vitro activity of cidofovir against the emerging Cantagalo virus and the smallpox vaccine strain IOC.
The antiviral effect of cidofovir was evaluated against two strains of vaccinia virus: the field strain Cantagalo virus (CTGV) and the smallpox vaccine IOC. The drug severely inhibited virus replication, revealing an EC(50) (drug concentration required to inhibit 50% of virus replication) of 7.68 microM and 9.66 microM, respectively, for CTGV and vaccine strain IOC. Similarly, other field isolates of Cantagalo-like viruses recently collected in distinct outbreaks were equally sensitive to the drug. Pre-treatment of cells prior to infection effectively established an antiviral state, inhibiting virus replication by >90% after 24h in the absence of cidofovir. CTGV infections represent an emerging zoonosis, and outbreaks have been frequently reported in several states of Brazil. Also, the possibility of resuming the manufacture of smallpox vaccine supports the need to evaluate the effect of antiviral drugs on the Brazilian vaccine strain IOC. As there is no currently approved antipoxvirus therapy, our data are extremely encouraging.
Jesus
Desyreé Murta
DM
Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 - CCS, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil.
Moussatché
Nissin
N
Damaso
Clarissa R
CR
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D000077404:Cidofovir; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine; D014615:Vaccinia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D063065:Organophosphonates; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine; D003596:Cytosine; D000077404:Cidofovir