A human apolipoprotein E mimetic peptide effectively inhibits HSV-1 TK-positive and TK-negative acute epithelial keratitis in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the antiviral effect of a peptide derived from human apolipoprotein E (1% apoEdp) with 1% trifluorothymidine against HSV-1 thymidine kinase (TK)-positive (HSV-1 McKrae) and with 3% foscarnet against HSV-1 TK-negative (KOS background) in the rabbit eye model of acute HSV-1 epithelial keratitis.


METHODS
Topical treatment began three days post-infection and continued for five days. Rabbits were treated 5 times per day with 1% apoEdp, 1% trifluorothymidine, 3% foscarnet, or PBS. Slit lamp examination was performed on a masked basis from post-infection days 3-10 to determine the severity of epithelial keratitis.


RESULTS
Topical treatment with 1% apoEdp was as effective as 1% trifluorothymidine against TK-positive and 3% foscarnet against TK-negative HSV-1 epithelial keratitis.


CONCLUSIONS
ApoEdp 1% has efficacy for the topical treatment of TK-positive and TK-negative ocular herpes in the rabbit eye model. Thus, apoEdp has the potential to be used for treatment of keratitis caused by TK mutants.
Bhattacharjee
Partha S
PS
Department of Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Lousiana, USA. pbhattach@xula.edu
Neumann
Donna M
DM
Hill
James M
JM
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009154:Mutation; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011817:Rabbits; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D004279:DNA, Viral; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013937:Thymidine Kinase