Effect of acyclovir on acute and latent herpes simplex virus infections in the rabbit.

Acyclovir, a new potent antiviral drug, was used to treat herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the rabbit ocular model. Acyclovir (3% ointment) used topically one to five times a day on acute ocular HSV infection gave beneficial results as measured by a reduction in corneal involvement, conjunctivitis, iritis, and corneal clouding. Topical treatment did not prevent the establishment of latent HSV infection. Intravenous acyclovir used two times a day (50 mg/kg) on rabbits with latent HSV infection appeared to suppress HSV in the nervous system but did not eradicate established latent HSV infection.