Effect of CP-20,961 on genital herpes in guinea pigs

CP-20,961 (N,N-dioctadecyl-N',N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)propanediamine) has been reported to be an interferon inducer, an adjuvant and a macrophage activator. In the present study, this compound was used therapeutically and prophylactically to treat genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections in guinea pigs. A significant decrease in the incidence of clinical lesions (P less than 0.05) was observed in animals treated intravaginally with 20 mg CP-20,961 (two doses each containing 10 mg) prior to infection. A single dose of 5 mg CP-20,961 reduced the severity of clinical lesions and inhibited virus shedding from the guinea pig vagina. Preliminary findings indicate that CP-20,961 is a potent agent for prevention of genital herpes infection.