Beneficial effect of cyclosporin A on the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection in mice.

The effect of cyclosporin A on the course of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection in mice was investigated. Evidence is presented that administration of this immunosuppressive drug spares a majority of lethally infected mice. This beneficial effect is different from the one obtained with other treatments leading to the abolition of T cell functions. Surviving animals rapidly eliminate the virus and produce high titers of neutralizing IgG antibodies.