Virus inhibition assay for measurement of acyclovir levels in human plasma and urine

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Abstract
A simple microplate virus inhibition assay which measures the levels of acyclovir in plasma and urine samples from patients was developed. The assay is based upon the inhibition of the cytopathic effect of herpes simplex virus type 1 on human fibroblast cells. The extent of inhibition of virus cytopathic effect, caused by dilutions of samples from patients, allowed determination of acyclovir concentrations to be made. The assay, which measured biological activity, could detect acyclovir levels of greater than or equal to 1.0 microM. Peak and valley levels measured in plasma samples from two patients were comparable to values obtained by radioimmunoassay. The assay is simple, rapid, and quantitative, and it can be adapted to routine use for a large number of specimens.