Topical butylated hydroxytoluene treatment of genital herpes simplex virus infections of guinea pigs.

The effect of topical treatment with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was evaluated in primary and recurrent genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection of guinea pigs. In the first experiment, treatment with placebo, 5%, 10%, or 15% BHT was initiated 48 h after viral inoculation and continued 4 times daily for 15 days. During primary infection no differences in maximum lesion severity or titers of virus in lesions were observed, however, lesion duration was reduced in BHT-treated animals resulting in a significantly smaller lesion score-day area under the curve. In a second experiment using U.S.P. mineral oil as an additional placebo, BHT placebo and 15% BHT in a double blind trial, similar results were obtained. Treatment of the recurrent infection in either experiment failed to alter the number of recurrent episodes or days with lesions.