Effect of Concomitant Treatment by Cortisone and N-Ethylisatin β-Thiosemicarbazone on Neurovaccinia Virus Infected Mice

Abstract

Summary

The effect of concomitant treatment with cortisone and N-ethylisatin β-thio-semicarbazone (NEITC) was investigated in mice infected with neurovaccinia virus. The findings demonstrated that a single dose of cortisone did not reduce the antiviral activity of NEITC. Mice given NEITC and cortisone were fully protected but showed a loss of weight prior to recovery. Cortisone inhibited interferon (ITF) formation when administered at 2 but not 24 hours post-infection. In this respect, cortisone given 2 hours post-infection was ineffective against a challenge of 1000 LD₅₀. ITF was not detected in the brains of infected mice treated with cortisone and NEITC or NEITC. On the other hand, pre-treatment with cortisone or NEITC did not inhibit production of ITF by UV vaccinia virus. Finally, concomitant therapy with cortisone and NEITC markedly reduced the inflammatory response in the brain; elementary or inclusion bodies were not observed and antibody formation was not suppressed.