PREVENTION OF SIV INFECTION IN MACAQUES BY (R)-9-(2-PHOSPHONYLMETHOXYPROPYL)ADENINE

The efficacy of pre- and postexposure treatment with the antiviral com pound (R)-9-(2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine (PMPA) was tested again st simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in macaques as a model for huma n immunodeficiency virus (HIV). PMPA was administered subcutaneously o nce daily beginning either 48 hours before, 4 hours after, or 24 hours after virus inoculation. Treatment continued for 4 weeks and the viro logic, immunologic, and clinical status of the macaques was monitored for up to 56 weeks. PMPA prevented SIV infection in all macaques witho ut toxicity, whereas all control macaques became infected. These resul ts suggest a potential role for PMPA prophylaxis against early HIV inf ection in cases of known exposure.