Ginterferon (human leukocyte interferon) efficiency in the treatment of viral diseases. 1. Efficiency in viral keratoconjunctivitis.

Ginterferon is a human leukocyte interferon (IFN) produced in the "V. Babes" Institute by in vitro culture of leukocytes separated from neonatal cord blood. Ginterferon (50,000 IU/ml) was administered to 40 patients who suffered for at least two weeks of a hepatic keratoconjunctivitis resistant to treatment with conventional regimens of human immunoglobulins, Iduviran or topical antiinflammatory drugs. In 35 cases (87%) complete recovery (total epithelialization and disappearance of all symptoms) occurred in a significantly shorter time (10-14 days) as compared to similar cases which recovered after 30-40 days by conventional treatment. Local or general untoward effects were not observed in any of the patients. Recovery in the remaining 5 cases was slower, 28-30 days. This slow response may have been due to unusual weakness of the general immunobiological condition in these patients (myocardial infarction or repeated stress) which might have favoured repeated waves of virus spreads from foci of viral latency which are not attained by the topically administered IFN.