Comparison of the efficacy of AZT and PMEA treatment against acute SIVmne infection in macaques.

The antiretroviral drugs azidothymidine (AZT) and 9-(-2-phosphonyl-methoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) were individually tested for prevention of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmne) infection in macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Macaques were pretreated with either drug before inoculation with SIVmne, and drug treatment was continued for four weeks. The virus, antibody, and clinical status of the macaques was monitored for up to 36 weeks following inoculation. While AZT prophylaxis resulted in reduced virus load in some macaques, PMEA prophylaxis was highly efficacious in preventing acute SIVmne infection.