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We studied the effect of an analogue of polyinosinic acid: polycytidylic acid, the mismatched poly(rI).poly(rC12U), on herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-induced cutaneous disease in the guinea-pig. Recurrence patterns and HSV-2-induced immune responses were also defined. Intranasal administration (l·5 μg/g body weight, five doses at 48 h intervals) of poly(rl). poly(rC 12U) during initial HSV-2 infection caused a significant (P < 0·05) reduction in virus titres in the skin and decreased (P < 0·01) the duration and severity of the primary cutaneous lesions. The incidence and frequency of subsequent recurrent episodes were also significantly (P < 0·01) reduced. Titres of serum neutralizing antibody were identical in treated and untreated animals. Interferon (IFN) activity was detectable in the sera from poly(rl). poly(rC12U)-treated animals. Peripheral blood mononuclear (PBL) and spleen cells from treated animals had enhanced cytotoxic activity for HSV-2-infected and uninfected target cells. The cytotoxic activity of the PBL was enhanced by treatment in vitro with poly(rl). poly- (rC12U) or IFN.
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