Local antivirals in a herpes simplex stromal keratitis model
J. I. McNeill and H. E. Kaufman
A herpes simplex stromal keratitis rabbit model, which was produced by
intrastromal injection of live virus, was used to evaluate the effects of
local antivirals on the natural course of the disease. Topical trifluridine
(trifluorothymidine) and vidarabine monophosphate (adenine arabinoside
monophosphate), when given early and frequently, suppressed the disease,
indicating that viral replication was important in initiating the disease.
However, seven days after the stromal disease had begun to develop, neither
drug had an appreciable effect. Since the early drug effect had suggested
adequate drug penetration, the abscence of drug effect later in the disease
indicates that viral multiplication may not be important in maintaining the
disease. Immunologic reactions may control the disease once the cornea is
antigenically altered by the initial infection. Subconjunctivally injected
trifluridine was not effective.
