Effect of interferon on togavirus and arenavirus infections of animals.

The sensitivity of togaviruses to the effects of IF appears to permit successful exploitation of IF inducers, whereas the relative insensitivity of arenaviruses to IF in vitro appears to correlate with the complete lack of success of poly (ICLC) therapy in the monkey model. Noteworthy is the successful use of poly (ICLC) against fatal encephalitis caused by JE virus in monkeys. Additional studies appear to be warranted to characterize further the role of IF and/or IF inducers in other model infections prior to studies in man.