Studies on Herpes Simplex

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Abstract
Summary: In the cornea of the unimmunized rabbit herpes simplex virus (HSV) multiplies rapidly to reach a peak titer in 2 to 3 days. The virus concentration then falls gradually, so that on day 11 to 13 no viable HSV can be recovered. In the immunized animal peak titers are identical, but the course of infection is compressed into 8 to 10 days. Administration of 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine (IUDR) in maximum (0.9%) concentration every 2 hr around the clock for 5 days reduces the virus content of the cornea initially by 99 to 99.99%. It never eradicates HSV infection from the cornea. At the end of treatment the viable virus content of the cornea rises, so that on day 10 or 11 there is actually more HSV in the treated than the untreated cornea. Viable HSV can regularly be recovered later from the treated than the untreated cornea. Partial suppression of HSV multiplication by IUDR is sufficient for dramatic “cure” of lesions caused by some HSV strains. Other HSV strains do not respond to IUDR treatment in man in spite of apparent susceptibility to the drug in vitro and in vivo, perhaps because of a different pathogenetic potential.

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