1. Effect of 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Vaginal Infection in the Guinea Pig
- Author
-
Guy A. Cabral, Albert E. Munson, E. M. Mishkin, L. Harris, Philip H. Coleman, and F. Marciano-Cabral
- Subjects
Immunosuppression Therapy ,Herpes Genitalis ,Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ,Host (biology) ,viruses ,Guinea Pigs ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Virology ,Immunity, Innate ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,Virus ,Guinea pig ,Primary herpes genitalis ,Herpes simplex virus ,Immunology ,medicine ,Animals ,Female ,Dronabinol ,Viral shedding ,Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol ,Vaginal infections - Abstract
~~ Abstract. The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether A'-tetrahydrocan- nabinol (A9-THC) decreases host resistance to herpes simplex virus type 2 vaginal infection in the guinea pig. The guinea pig was selected as the host since it has been shown to express a spectrum of primary herpes genitalis which is similar to that in humans. Animals were administered A9-THC or vehicle intraperitoneally on Days 1-4, 8- 1 1, and 15- 18. Herpes simplex virus was introduced intravaginally on Day 2. Host resistance to virus infection was assessed by comparing frequency and severity of lesions, virus shedding, and animal mortalities. Virus-infected animals treated with drug at doses of 4 and 10 mg/kg exhibited significantly greater severity of genital disease during the 30-day period of study when compared to virus-inoculated vehicle controls. A direct relationship was noted between dose of A9-THC and cumulative mortalities on Day 14 following primary infection. These results indicate that A9-THC decreases host resistance to herpes Simplex Virus type 2 vaginal infection in the guinea pig. 0 1986 Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.
- Published
- 1986
- Full Text
- View/download PDF