Abstract
Extract: Cytosine arabinoside (which is used to treat congenital viral infections) produced neurologic and retinal damage in infant mice. Station and gait abnormalities could be related to hypoplasia and marked microscopic changes in the cerebellum of treated animals. These, as well as microscopic changes in the retina, appeared to be irreversible. The damage produced appeared to result from destruction of primordial cells during a critical period of differentiation.
Speculation: The potential for producing neurologic and other damage by treatment with DNA inhibitors during this period of rapid growth must be considered when contemplating the use of these DNA inhibitors for treatment of congenital virus infections.
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Ashwal, S., Finegold, M., Fish, I. et al. Effect of the Antiviral Drug, Cytosine Arabinoside, on the Developing Nervous System. Pediatr Res 8, 945–950 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197412000-00006
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197412000-00006