Herpes simplex virus skin infection in hairless mice: treatment with antiviral compounds.

A hairless mouse-herpes simplex virus skin infection experimental model was used to evaluate the efficacy of the antiviral compounds 9-beta-d-arabinofuranosyladenine (ara-A), 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IUdR), and 6-azauridine (aza-U). Ara-A and IUdR, when administered intraperitoneally by several different dosage schedules, reduced the severity of cutaneous herpetic lesions and the incidence of paralysis and increased significantly the number of survivors. A more rapid healing of the lesions and an increase in the mean survival time also was observed. A delay of 24 to 48 h in the initiation of treatment after the infection was more effective than treatments started at the time of inoculation. Treatment with ara-A was somewhat superior to that with IUdR, but aza-U was totally ineffective. Enhancement of the evolution of the infection was noted after treatment with aza-U.