[Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus replication by azidothymidine (Azitidín Lachema) in cultured cells].

The inhibitory effect of the Czecho-Slovakia azidothymidine (AZT) preparation Azitidin (Lachema) on HIV 1 infection was studied in vitro. Its efficacy was compared with that of the approved AZT preparation Retrovir (Burroughs-Wellcome Co.). HIV 1 infected MT4 cells were cultivated in media containing different concentrations of Azitidin or Retrovir. Complete inhibition of virus production (reverse transcriptase activity) and of the cytopathic effect of HIV 1 was seen at the concentration of 0.1 microM of either preparation. Complete inhibition of viral antigen induction was recorded at the concentration of 1 microM. In the light of the obtained results we can conclude that Azitidin inhibits HIV 1 replication in vitro and its efficacy is fully comparable to that of Retrovir. (Tab. 4, Fig. 2, Ref. 17.)