The effects of corticosteroids of adenoviral replication.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of Pred Forte (prednisolone acetate; Allergan Pharmaceutical, Irvine, Calif) on the replication of different adenoviral serotypes in vitro and in the adenovirus type 5/New Zealand rabbit ocular model.

METHODS

The 50% inhibitory doses of Pred Forte and its components were determined for common ocular serotypes. The effects of continuous topical treatment with Pred Forte for 18 days were evaluated (eg, conjunctivitis, subepithelial immune infiltrates, and serial ocular viral titers) in the adenovirus 5/New Zealand rabbit ocular model.

RESULTS

Pred Forte and prednisolone acetate inhibited adenoviruses 1, 5, 8, and 19 in vitro. In vivo, 1% Pred Forte significantly reduced conjunctivitis (P = .04) and subepithelial infiltrates (P = .02), but enhanced viral replication (P = .01) on days 9 to 21 and increased the duration of viral shedding (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-immune effects, prolonged treatment of acute adenoviral infections with topical Pred Forte is not recommended because of the enhanced risks of viral transmission and community epidemics.