Lin J C, Zhang Z X, Smith M C, Biron K, Pagano J S
Lineberger Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27514.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1988 Feb;32(2):265-7. doi: 10.1128/AAC.32.2.265.
We show that the anti-human immunodeficiency virus agent, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), which suppresses infectivity and cytopathic effects of human immunodeficiency virus, also effectively inhibits Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA replication. However, AZT has no effect on four other human herpesviruses: cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. The combination of acyclovir and AZT, while it is not synergistic, has an additive effect against EBV replication. AZT may prove to be a useful drug for treatment of coinfections with human immunodeficiency virus and EBV.