[Action of virazole on cytomegalovirus reproduction in tissue culture and in chronic infection in women].

Ribavirin-virazole (I-beta-D-Ribofluranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide) inhibits human cytomegalovirus reproduction in cell cultures, as manifested by a decrease in the number of foci of lesions by 37-45% in virus-infected tubes propagated in the medium containing 100 micrograms/ml virazole as well as by a decrease of virus titre. In contrast to its marked inhibiting effect in tissue culture, virazole exerted no suppressive effect on virus excretion in the saliva and urine in chronic human CMV infection when given orally for 12-24 days in a dose of 9.6 g per course. The study of lymphocyte populations in patients with CMV infection revealed a decrease in the number of Ea-RFC and E-RFC. Inhibition of leukocyte migration to CMV antigen was found in about 40% of the patients examined. No significant changes in lymphocyte populations were observed after treatment with virazole which could be indicative of the immunosuppressive effect of the drug in the above-mentioned doses used.