Interferon Prophylaxis Against Simian Varicella in Erythrocebus patas Monkeys

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Abstract
Erythrocebus patas monkeys were given placebo or human leukocyte interferon (5 × 105 units/kg of body weight per day im) for five days during an epizootic of simian varicella. During the 14 days beginning with the first day of treatment, the attack rate for simian varicella was 14.3010 (two of 14) among interferon recipients compared to 70010 (nine of 13) among placebo recipients (P P < 0.025). The epizootic began in a room housing male animals. The incidence of infection in male placebo recipients was 100010 (seven of seven) compared to 14010 (one of seven) in male interferon recipients (P<0.01). The efficacy of interferon prophylaxis in the simian varicella model supports its continued evaluation for the management of human varicella in high-risk patients.