[Preliminary clinical experiences with adenine arabinoside monophosphate (ARA-AMP) in encephalitis due to viruses of the herpes group and varicella/zoster infections (author’s transl)]

Adenine arabinoside monophosphate (ARA-AMP) is a new antiviral agent with significant activity against DNA viruses of the herpes group. It appears to be superior to cytosine arabinoside and iodoxuridine in severe herpes simplex infections. Unlike cytosine arabinoside and idoxuridine ARA-AMP has only minimal myelosuppressive and immunosuppressive properties. The original compound, adenine arabinoside (ARA-A) which has been used in the United States in the last years had the disadvantage of poor solubility and tissue penetrance. Compared to adenine arabinoside the monophosphate ester of this compound has the advantage of better solubility and is more slowly metabolized in humans. In eight children with virus induced encephalitis ARA-AMP was well tolerated, we could not observe any severe side effects. A case of herpes simplex encephalitis showed a complete recovery. However it has to be pointed out that in herpes simplex encephalitis ARA-AMP should be given early in the course of infection to have a beneficial effect, therefore an early diagnosis is of utmost importance. A case of generalized herpes zoster healed up within about a week. Of course these are very preliminary results which must be confirmed by further experiences.