Evaluation of the efficacy of 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine against adenovirus infection in a mouse pneumonia model

The antiviral activity of 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC) has been investigated in a mouse pneumonia model. Consolidation of lung, histopathological changes, DNA synthesis as well as levels of TNF alpha were assayed. In this in vivo model, the oral administration of ddC twice daily over 4 days, displayed an inhibitory effect. The drug significantly reduced histopathologic responses. Analysis indicated that under treatment pulmonary lesions were less severe than those of untreated controls. These data confirm the in vitro activity of ddC against adenovirus. Thus, ddC represents a potential therapeutic approach for inhibiting adenovirus infection and may offer promise as an anti-adenovirus agent for immunocompromised patients in whom serious adenovirus infection may prove fatal. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.