New agents active against African swine fever virus.

Actinobolin, atropine, carrageenan, megalomycin C, suramin, and tetracenomycin C were tested for their activity against African swine fever virus replication. Both viral inhibitory potency and cytotoxicity were investigated. Megalomycin C, suramin, atropine, and carrageenan exhibited significant activity. Megalomycin C was the most active of the four agents with respect to the concentration of compound that blocked the formation of infectious virus by 50%. Suramin was the next most active agent in this respect, but because of its lower cytotoxicity, it had the most favorable therapeutic index.