A human apolipoprotein E mimetic peptide effectively inhibits HSV-1 TK-positive and TK-negative acute epithelial keratitis in rabbits.

Purpose: To compare the antiviral effect of a peptide derived from human apolipoprotein E (1% apoEdp) with 1% trifluorothymidine against HSV-1 thymidine kinase (TK)-positive (HSV-1 McKrae) and with 3% foscarnet against HSV-1 TK-negative (KOS background) in the rabbit eye model of acute HSV-1 epithelial keratitis.

Materials And Methods: Topical treatment began three days post-infection and continued for five days. Rabbits were treated 5 times per day with 1% apoEdp, 1% trifluorothymidine, 3% foscarnet, or PBS. Slit lamp examination was performed on a masked basis from post-infection days 3-10 to determine the severity of epithelial keratitis.

Results: Topical treatment with 1% apoEdp was as effective as 1% trifluorothymidine against TK-positive and 3% foscarnet against TK-negative HSV-1 epithelial keratitis.

Conclusions: ApoEdp 1% has efficacy for the topical treatment of TK-positive and TK-negative ocular herpes in the rabbit eye model. Thus, apoEdp has the potential to be used for treatment of keratitis caused by TK mutants.