Therapeutic effect of (E)‐5‐(2‐bromovinyl)‐2′‐deoxyuridine, caffeic acid oxidation product, and trisodiumphosphonoformate on cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in guinea pigs

The influence of (E)‐5‐(2‐bromovinyl)‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BVDU), caffeic acid oxidation product (KOP), and trisodiumphosphonoformate (TPF) on the course of the primary cutaneous herpes simplex virus infection was investigated by means of a guinea pig test model. The antiviral substances were applied in an ointment with 10% urea as a penetration mediator. When the treatment was initiated 15 minutes after virus inoculation, 3% BVDU effectively inhibited the development of herpetic vesicles and 0.1% BVDU prevented the appearance of herpetic satellites. Under the same conditions 1% and 3% KOP ointments inhibited the appearance of satellites; and 0.5% TPF ointment completely inhibited the development of cutaneous herpes lesions. Prophylactic drug administration given 24, 20, and 4 hours before virus inoculation was without any protective effect.