Assessment of phosphonoformate-treatment of pigeon herpesvirus infection in pigeons and budgerigars, and Aujeszky's disease in rabbits

Trisodium phosphonoformate (PFA) was used to treat Pigeon herpesvirus 1 (PHV1) infection in pigeons and budgerigars and Aujeszky's disease in rabbits. Intramuscular administration of PFA in pigeons, even when commenced before experimental inoculation of PHV1, did not prevent the occurrence of clinical disease, or reduce the viral excretion or the serological response, and did not prevent the appearance of carriers. In budgerigars infected with PHV1, fatal hepatitis was not prevented by PFA-treatment begun before infection, and in rabbits the treatment did not prevent fatal encephalitis due to Aujeszky's disease virus. © 1982.