Evidence that neomycin inhibits HSV 1 infection of BHK cells.

The effect of neomycin on the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 infection of baby hamster kidney cells was studied. Neomycin concentrations of 3 mM or more caused a more than 90% inhibition of HSV 1 proliferation, while it had no effect on HSV 2 proliferation, measured as plaque-forming units. Furthermore, neomycin must be present at the time of infection in order to exert full effect, addition 1 hour postinfection was comparable to untreated cells. This indicates that neomycin may specifically interfere with very early stages of HSV 1 infection.