Effects of topical applications of phosphonoacetate on colonization of mouse trigeminal ganglia with herpes simplex virus type 1.

The effects of topical application of phosphonoacetic acid on the colonization of mouse trigeminal ganglia by herpes simplex virus type 1 were examined. The results showed that the extent of colonization of ganglia by virus is related to the time elapsed between virus inoculation and application of this agent. In most cases, treatment started up to 12 h after inoculation prevented invasion of ganglia by virus. When started up to 24 h after inoculation, treatment reduced and stabilized the amount of virus detectable in trigeminal ganglia during the acute phase of the ganglionic infection. Treatments started 24 h after virus inoculation had little influence on total virus accumulations in trigeminal ganglia. The data also indicate that virus titers in specimens of inoculated and treated skin sites are less affected by topical phosphonoacetic acid treatment than virus titers in ganglia. The experiments may represent a model system for testing effects of other antiviral compounds on colonization of ganglia by virus and may provide some clues regarding the pathogenic mechanism of herpes simplex virus infections.