Lack of in vitro antiviral activity of fluoroquinolones against herpes simplex virus type 2

• Published in: Archives of virology 1992-09, Vol.122 (3-4), p.263-269
• Main Authors: PESSINA, A, MINEO, E, GRIBALDO, L, GRAZIA NERI, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acyclovir - pharmacology; Animals; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Antiviral agents; Biological and medical sciences; Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral - drug effects; Drug Interactions; herpes simplex virus 2; Medical sciences; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Novobiocin - pharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Quinolones - pharmacology; Simplexvirus - drug effects; Vero Cells - drug effects
• ISSN: 0304-8608; 1432-8798
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01317188

The antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) of five fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, rufloxacin) was tested in vitro. Their efficacy was evaluated as reduction of the cytopathic effect (CPER) exerted by HSV-2 on Vero cells in comparison with novobiocin and acycloguanosine. Our results show a very poor antiviral effect of five quinolones (CPER50 = 200 mg/l) that was comparable with their cytotoxicity (TCIC50 less than 200 mg/l). Novobiocin shows a lower toxicity (TCIC50 = 400 mg/l) and a slight antiviral activity (CPER50 = 120 mg/l). Acycloguanosine shows a TCIC50 greater than 400 mg/l and a CPER50 of 3.125 mg/l. The therapeutic indices gave values ranging from 0.12 to 2 for quinolones, of 3.3 for novobiocin, and greater than 128 for acycloguanosine. The antiviral efficacy of acycloguanosine was not affected by concentrations of quinolones active against bacteria (1-10 mg/l) whereas it was drastically reduced by higher doses of quinolones (greater than 50 mg/l). Our data suggest that fluoroquinolones cannot be considered drugs able to inhibit HSV-2 replication in vitro.