The Treatment of Herpetic Keratitis with 5-Iodo-2'-Deoxyuridine (IDU)

Introduction Recently the topical application of an antimetabolite, 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IDU) has proved efficacious in the treatment of herpes simplex keratitis.1Prior to this there was no known chemotherapeutic or antibiotic agent which was capable of inactivating or retarding the herpes simplex virus in vivo in man or animal. Sery and Furgiuele2had investigated over 150 compounds and found no significant antivirus activity in the treatment of herpes simplex infections in the rabbit cornea despite impressive virus neutralization properties of some in vitro. In past years numerous investigators have tested steroids, antibiotics, and enzymes in experimental animals and man. Antibiotics do not enhance the healing process after infection with herpes simplex, although they do protect against secondary infection.3Anti-inflammatory steroids alter unfavorably the normal course of corneal herpes simplex infection when applied topically and/or used systemically.4,5It has been suggested by clinical and experimental studies that the