Cidofovir does not prevent caprine herpesvirus type-1 neural latency in goats.
BACKGROUND
Cidofovir (CDV) is an acyclic nucleoside phosphonate that exhibits a potent antiviral activity against several DNA viruses. In previous studies, CDV has been shown to significantly reduce the clinical severity and the viral shedding in primary caprine herpesvirus type-1 (CpHV-1) infection in goats. CpHV-1 is an alpha-herpesvirus showing many biological similarities with human herpesvirus type-2 (HHV-2); therefore, studies conducted on the CpHV-1 goat model could provide useful information on the pathogenesis, therapy and prevention of HHV-2 infection in humans.


METHODS
CDV was administered to goats infected by vaginal route with CpHV-1. Real-time PCR was carried out on sacral ganglia from CpHV-1-infected goats to detect and quantify latent CpHV-1 DNA.


RESULTS
Viral DNA was variably found in all five pairs of sacral ganglia, with a more frequent involvement of the third and fourth pair. In CDV-treated goats, the amount of CpHV-1 DNA did not appear to be related either to the severity of the clinical signs or the titre of the virus shed during primary CpHV-1 infection.


CONCLUSIONS
CDV failed to prevent CpHV-1 latency. Thus, vaginal CDV administration during primary herpesvirus infection, although providing immediate clinical benefits to the host might not influence the establishment of latency and, consequently, the rate of recurrent infections.
Camero
Michele
M
Department of Veterinary Public Health, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
Crescenzo
Giuseppe
G
Marinaro
Mariarosaria
M
Tarsitano
Elvira
E
Bellacicco
Anna Lucia
AL
Armenise
Carlo
C
Buonavoglia
Canio
C
Tempesta
Maria
M
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077404:Cidofovir; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005724:Ganglia / Q000821:virology*; D006041:Goats; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region / Q000821:virology; D018140:Varicellovirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000187:drug effects*; D017201:Virus Shedding
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D063065:Organophosphonates; D003596:Cytosine; D000077404:Cidofovir