[The new interferon inducer Aktipol in the treatment of herpetic keratitis].

Previous experiments demonstrated the efficiency of 0.007% para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) in the treatment of dendriform herpetic keratitis in rabbits and showed the interferonogenic activity of local administration of PABA in this concentration in ocular tissues. A new drug Aktipol based on 0.007% PABA was developed for the treatment of viral diseases of the eyes. The drug was used in the treatment of patients with surface herpetic keratitis. It was instilled into the conjunctival sac (2 drops 8-10 times a day) or instillations were combined with subconjunctival, parabulbar injections 1-3 times a week, depending on the disease severity and course. Clinical studies demonstrated that Aktipol is effective in the treatment of surface forms of herpetic keratitis (118 patients). Cure was attained in 89.8% patients in 11.3 +/- 0.6 days. Aktipol is superior to IDU (cure in 70.6% patients) and is comparable to that of acyclovir (87.7%). Aktipol accelerates ulcer healing, resorption of infiltration, and cure by 4-5 days in comparison with IDU and is comparable to acyclovir. Aktipol is better tolerated than antiviral IDU agents and acyclovir ointment.