Effect of bibenzimidazole derivative Hoechst 33258 on virus replication.

Bibenzimidazole dye Hoechst 33258 (-2[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-benzymidazolyl]-6-(1-methyl-4-piperaz yl)- benzimidazole) has recently been described as an effective anti-Mycoplasma agent in cell cultures (Hellkuhl and Grzeschik, 1983). This study was done to determine if treatment of cells with Hoechst 33258 had any deleterious effect on the ability of these cells to propogate virus. Bovine turbinate (BT) and porcine kidney (PK15) cells were used for the propagation of bovine adeno, bovine respiratory syncytial, bovine virus diarrhea, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, pseudorabies, porcine entero and the equine rhinopneumonitis viruses. Hoechst 33258-treated and untreated cells were found to yield similar titers for these viruses.