Successful treatment of enterovirus-infected mice by 2-(alpha-hydroxybenzyl)-benzimidazole and guanidine.

Echo virus 9- or Coxsackie A 9-infected newborn mice are protected from paralysis and death by combined treatment with nontoxic concentrations of HBB plus guanidine. HBB alone also protects Coxsackie A 9, but not echo virus 9-infected animals, whereas guanidine alone is ineffective in either case. Protection is due to inhibition of virus multiplication via the antiviral activity of these selective inhibitors. Treatment must be begun at the latest 48 h after virus inoculation. 3 days of treatment are sufficient if started at the time of virus inoculation. Failure of protection after treatment with one compound alone is not due to rapid development of drug-resistant virus mutants. Infected, successfully treated mice may develop a solid immunity.