Human interferon alpha A or alpha D and trifluridine treatment for herpetic keratitis in rabbits.

Recombinant human interferon (IFN) alpha A and alpha D combined with 1% trifluridine ophthalmic solution gave beneficial results when applied topically at a dose of 1 x 10(6) U per eye four times a day commencing 4 hr after eyes were inoculated with herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). Acute herpetic keratitis was suppressed by trifluridine alone and the combined therapies, but the high-titered interferon preparations, alone, had little effect. Duration of HSV-1 shedding into tear film during topical treatment for acute herpetic keratitis was reduced slightly by combined therapy with either IFN alpha A or IFN alpha D with trifluridine.