Inhibition of simian varicella virus infection of monkeys by 1-(2-deoxy-2- fluoro-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethyluracil (FEAU) and synergistic effects of combination with human recombinant interferon-beta.

1-(2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethyluracil (FEAU) has been shown to be a highly effective inhibitor of Simian varicella virus infection in African green monkeys. Administration of FEAU by either intravenous injection or gavage at doses as low as 1 mg/kg/day prevented the development of rash and reduced viremia. The effective dose could be further reduced to 0.2 mg/kg/day when administered in combination with a sub-effective dose of human recombinant interferon-beta. No evidence of toxicity was seen in monkeys treated for 10 days with FEAU doses of 10 mg/kg/day when they were monitored by hematology and clinical chemistry tests and by clinical observations.