[The effect of human leukocyte interteron (HIF) on experimental viral keratitis in monkeys (author's transl)]

12 african green monkeys were inoculated in both eyes with herpes simplex virus typ 1 and 16 rhesus monkeys with vaccinia virus. The right eyes were treated with human leukocyte interferon (HIF) while the left eyes served as controls and showed the typical keratitis, 7 out of 8 herpes eyes and all 9 vaccinia eyes which were treated prophylactically or simultaneiously with HIF showed no signs of disease. When HIF was given later in the course of the infection the keratitis was either little influenced or not modified at all. The reasons are discussed.