Effect of 2’-fluoro-5-methyl-ara-uracil and cyclophosphamide on herpes simplex virus infection in guinea pigs

Ip 2’-fluoro-5-methyl-arauracil (FMAU) 50 (mg/kg)/d for 3 d starting 1 d post-vaginal inoculation of HSV-2 almost completely inhibited the appearance of primary genital lesions (GL) but did not reduce the establishment of HSV latency. When ip cyclophosphamide (Cy) 50(mg/kg)/d for 7 d was simultaneously given, mild delayed GL were occasionally noticed in FMAU-treatcd animals. During HSV-2 latent infection, ip Cy 50 (mg/kg)/d for l0 d could induce genital herpes recurrence of FMAU-treated animals. Ip Cy 300 (mg/kg)/dose for 3 doses at weekly intervals could increase the incidence of recurrent GL, suggesting that the reactivation of latent HSV by Cy was dosage related.