Administration of Human Leukocyte Interferon in Herpes Zoster. I. Safety, Circulating Antiviral Activity, and Host Responses to Infection

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Abstract
Interferon from human leukocytes was given to nine patients with malignancy complicated by disseminated herpes zoster. The greatest dose and duration of treatment was 2.40 × 108 units given over a three-day period. The highest peak concentration of interferon in serum occurred after slow iv infusion; however, levels > 100 units/ml were obtained more rapidly and were sustained longer after im administration. When an injection was given im on three successive days, peak daily titers rose progressively, suggesting accumulation in tissues. The rate of rise of varicella-zoster complement-fixing antibodies and the titers of interferon in vesicular fluid and cell counts in the patients treated with interferon did not differ significantlyffrom those of a group of control patients. The only adverse side effect of treatment with interferon was fever of 38 C-40 C after injections. Assays of cerebrospinal fluid and urine specimens generally failed to demonstrate significant titers of interferon during periods when serum levels were known to be >100 units/ml. The average level of circulating interferon attained by either the im or iv route was higher than reported levels in naturally occurring human viral diseases and was approximately 17 times the minimal inhibitory concentration for varicellazoster virus in human cell culture.

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