Successful therapy of herpes hominis keratitis in rabbits by 5-iodo-5′-amino-2’5′-dideoxyuridine (AIU): a novel analog of thymidine.

PubMed ID: 931691

Author(s): Albert DM, Lahav M, Bhatt PN, Reid TW, Ward RE, Cykiert RC, Lin TS, Ward DC, Prusoff WH. Successful therapy of herpes hominis keratitis in rabbits by 5-iodo-5′-amino-2’5′-dideoxyuridine (AIU): a novel analog of thymidine. Invest Ophthalmol. 1976 Jun;15(6):470-8.

Journal: Investigative Ophthalmology, Volume 15, Issue 6, Jun 1976

The efficiency of 5-iodo-5′-amino-2’5′-dideoxyuridine (AIU) in the therapy of experimental herpes keratitis in rabbits has been examined. Virus infections were established bilaterally in 40 animals using herpes simplex, type 1 (NIH strain 11124). Twenty-four hours after infection the rabbits were divided into five matched groups of eight and each group was treated, double-blind, with topical drugs at four-hour intervals for a total of 72 hours. The solutions instilled were: (1) saline; (2) IdUrd, 1 mg. per milliliter; (3) AIU, 1 mg. per milliliter; (4) AIU, 4 mg. per milliter; and (5) AIU, 8 mg. per milliliter. Each eye was examined daily for 12 days and graded independently by two ophthalmologists. Although IdUrd and AIU (8 mg. per milliliter) were effective therapeutically, IdUrd had a greater effect. The AIU at 1 and 4 mg. per milliliter were less active, but showed more rapid healing than the saline control. Viral recovery studies are consistent with the clinical observations. A second independent experiment, similar to that described above, gave essentially identical results. Although less potent than IdUrd, AIU does provide effective therapy for herpes keratitis.