Neuritic uptake and transport of antiviral drugs modifying herpes simplex virus infection of rat sensory neurons.

The neuritic uptake and transport of three antiviral drugs were studied in a cell culture system with dissociated cells of rat dorsal root ganglia. Cultured sensory neurons extended neuritic projections which penetrated a vacuum grease sealed diffusion barrier in the culture. The peripheral infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (McIntyre) resulted in uptake and transport of HSV by neuritic extensions causing a neuronal infection inside the diffusion barrier. By varying the route of administration and concentration of drug and by manipulating the nerve cell culture system, neuritic uptake and transport also of the antiviral drugs (acyclovir, adenine-arabinoside and foscarnet) were demonstrable. The findings are discussed in relation to axonal transport and antiviral treatment of HSV infections of the nervous system.