Effects of Idoxuridine on Herpesvirus hominis Encephalitis and Disseminated Infections in Marmosets

Idoxuridine was tested in encephalitis and disseminated infection due to Herpesvirus hominis in marmosets. The disease in idoxuridine-treated marmosets was similar in clinical picture, mortality, and histopathologic changes to that in untreated controls. Slight modulation of the pathogenesis, as manifested by suppressed titers of virus in visceral organs, was observed when the drug was given before infection. Our preliminary results in marmosets suggest the need for further studies of idoxuridine in severe infections due to Herpesvirus hominis.