Effect of acyclovir on selected immune functions.

The toxicity of acyclovir (ACV) produced by Lachema, Brno was compared with that of Zovirax, Wellcome. The in vitro suppressive effect of both substances was found equal and concentration dependent. The primary humoral antibody response was more sensitive to ACV than the cellular (blast transformation) response. However, spleen cells of drug-treated mice (either with the domestic compounds or Wellcome origin) differed neither in blast transformation test nor in the secretory antibody response. None of the drugs when given in adequate therapeutic dose did significantly influence the cell mediated response or antibody formation by spleen cells. Summing up, the acute immunotoxicity of both compounds was low; in this respect acyclovir Lachema did not differ from Zovirax Wellcome.