Chemotherapy of cytomegalovirus infections. Further results on intraperitoneal infection of Ehrlich ascites tumor mice with viruses of low virulence in vivo: MCMV-Smith, adenovirus 2, RSV-Long and rhinoviruses.

Abstract

Following former results with mouse adenovirus FL/3749, further <i>viruses</i> of low virulence for adult mice (human adenovirus 2, RSV/Long, rhinoviruses 1, 2 (HGP), 15 and 51 and MCMV/Smith) could be easely adapted to mice with Ehrlich ascites tumor. An acute infection at low infectious doses which shortened survival time in comparison to the ascites tumor controls offered a good basis for chemotherapeutic studies. In these, treatments with IUDR (5-Iodo-2′-deoxyuridin) and Ara-A (9-<i>β</i>-D-Arabinofuranosyl-adenine), compounds with activity in infection with herpes simplex virus, also proved to be effective against MCMV infection of mice with Ehrlich ascites tumor. The weak cytostatic activity against Ehrlich ascites tumor of both above compounds can not be the cause of their effectiveness against MCMV infection. Cytoxan or 6-Mercaptopurine, although having a much stronger cytostatic activity are not effective in herpes simplex infection of normal or MCMV infection of ascites tumor mice. The interferon inducer Statolon was inactive. In experiments with a herpes simplex strain of lower virulence for adult mice, adrenaline, prednisone, histamine and the catecholamine depleting reserpine significantly increased the mortality and shortened the median survival day in cerebrally infected mice.