Relation of Arginine-Lysine Antagonism to Herpes simplex Growth in Tissue Culture

Abstract

In the studies conducted, arginine deficiency suppressed herpes simplex virus replication in tissue culture. Lysine, an analog of arginine, as an antimetabolite, antagonized the viral growth-promoting action of arginine. The in vitro data may be the basis for the observation that patients prone to herpetic lesions and other related viral infections, particularly during periods of stress, should abstain from arginine excess and may also require supplemental lysine in their diet.

Corneal ulceration associated with naturally occurring canine herpesvirus-1 infection in two adult dogs

“…[62][63][64] One dog also received L-lysine, which has been found to reduce the in vitro replication of FHV-1 and HSV, decrease viral shedding in cats following experimentally induced reactivation of latent FHV-1 infections, reduce the severity of conjunctivitis in cats after primary FHV-1 infection, accelerate recovery from natural HSV infection in humans, and suppress natural HSV infection recurrence in humans. [65][66][67][68][69] In one of the dogs reported here, healing of the corneal ulcers was observed after topical administration of idoxuridine and discontinuation of topically administered dexamethasone. Flurbiprofen was also administered topically in this dog.…”

Success of <i>L</i>-Lysine Therapy in Frequently Recurrent Herpes simplex Infection

“…When Llysine, an analog of L-arginine, was added to L-argininc-restricted tissue culture media, HSV replication was inhibited [13]. Addi tional in vitro studies of virus yield suggest ed that L-lysine inhibited HSV replication by competitively preventing viral pro grammed enzymatic utilization of Larginine to form viral proteins [14]. Restric tion of dietary L-arginine in subjects prone to recurrent HSV lesions and supplementa tion of the diet with L-lysine may reduce herpes recurrence [3].…”

Feline herpes dermatitis treated with interferon omega

“…14 The presumed mechanism is based on the known antagonism of the growth-promoting effects of arginine, which is an essential amino acid for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) of humans, which shows a comparable biological behaviour to FHV-1. 15,16 Oral administration of human IFN-α has been reported in several studies in cats with FeLV infection showing different efficacies. [17][18][19] Recombinant feline IFN-ω (rFeIFN) is a type I IFN and has a similar mode of action as IFN-α .…”