Oral chemotherapy of fatal B virus (herpesvirus simiae) infection.

Acyclovir and ganciclovir, which were only about 10-fold less effective against B virus than herpes simplex virus type 1 in VERO cells, were tested in vivo in B virus-infected rabbits. Untreated control rabbits became paralysed from 8 days and died from 10 days. Oral acyclovir at a dose rate of 500 mg/kg/day for 21 days prevented death; acyclovir prevented disease at 700 mg/kg/day. In B virus-infected humans such a high dose of acyclovir could not be given by mouth. Nevertheless, high dose oral acyclovir is suggested for immediate prophylaxis when monkey handlers have been exposed to potentially fatal B virus infection. Should signs or symptoms of disease occur then high dose intravenous acyclovir has been recommended. Since ganciclovir was found to be more effective than acyclovir, intravenous ganciclovir might be preferred for the treatment of established infection.