Evaluation of Bis-Benzimidazoles in the Treatment of Murine Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infections

Abstract

Seventy percent of the mice receiving ( S,S )-1,2-bis(5-methoxy-2-benzimidazolyl)-1,2-ethandiol (A36683) in their drinking water lived at least four times longer than control mice when infected with 10 or 100 mean lethal doses of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus strain UBC. In the next 4 months, most of the survivors died with lymphocytic choriomeningitis-like symptoms. Drug treatment during the first 7 days after infection was found to have no significant effect on virus titers in various organs. The sparing effect of the drug is discussed in terms of immunosuppression.

Interferon Induction by Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Viruses Correlates with Maximum Virulence

“…These mice were injected as neonates with a UBC strain of LCM having a long history of tissue culture passage in our laboratory (Pulkkinen & Pfau, 1970). LCM virus-containing sera and brain homogenates were obtained and processed as outlined previously (Stella et al, 1974). The origins of the encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) have been described previously (Ramseur & Friedman, 1977).…”

Characteristics of the In Vitro Inhibition of Arenavirus Synthesis by Bis-Benzimidazoles

“…Since LCM virus is now recognized as the prototype of the arenaviruses (10) and since three of the viruses (Junin, Lassa, and Machupo) in this newly created group are strong human pathogens, we decided to investigate the efficacy of this drug and some of its derivatives (9). Our tissue culture results are presented here, while the animal studies are described in the following paper (14).…”