An experimental study on the susceptibility of human corneal cells to infection by herpes simplex virus type 1]

The degree of susceptibility of various human corneal cells to infection by the Mckrae strain of herpes simplex type 1 at different time-points in vitro was found to be the epithelial cells, the endothelial cells, and the keratocytes in increasing order. This finding was in agreement with the natural resistance of the three types of cells, and explained the mechanism of clinical manifestations of herpes simplex keratitis.     

(S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonyl-methoxypropyl)cytosine in the therapy of thymidine kinase-positive and -deficient herpes simplex virus experimental keratitis.

The phosphonylmethoxyalkyl derivative, (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonyl methoxypropyl)cytosine (HPMPC), was evaluated for its efficacy in the topical treatment of experimental keratitis caused by thymidine kinase-positive (TK+) or thymidine kinase-deficient (TK-) herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strains. The HPMPC 0.2% eyedrops were as effective as the reference compound, (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine, (BVDU) 0.2% eyedrops in stimulating the healing of epithelial disease caused by the HSV-1 TK+ strain. Both drugs achieved a significant (P less than 0.005) healing effect compared with placebo eyedrops. No significant differences were noted in the efficacy of HPMPC 0.2% eyedrops when instilled one, three, or nine times a day. In the treatment of keratitis caused by the HSV-1 TK- strain, 0.2% BVDU eyedrops were similar to placebo; 0.2% HPMPC eyedrops again had a brisk and significant healing effect (P less than 0.005).