Lack of in vitro antiviral activity of fluoroquinolones against herpes simplex virus type 2

Abstract
The antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) of five fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, rufloxacin) was tested in vitro. Their efficacy was evaluated as reduction of the cytopathic effect (CPER) exerted by HSV-2 on Vero cells in comparison with novobiocin and acycloguanosine. Our results show a very poor antiviral effect of five quinolones (CPER50=200 mg/l) that was comparable with their cytotoxicity (TCIC5050 mg/l). Our data suggest that fluoroquinolones cannot be considered drugs able to inhibit HSV-2 replication in vitro.