Antiviral effect of carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide (ge-132) in mice infected with a lethal dose of influenza virus

The antiviral effect of carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide (Ge-132) was examined in mice infected with mouse-adapted influenza A₂ (H₂N₂) virus. A multiple administration of the compound at doses of 300~33 mg/kg protected mice from virus infection. When a 100 mg/kg dose of Ge-132 was administered orally, the protective effect was demonstrated on the basis of 1) survival of infected mice, 2) reduction of virus growth in lungs, 3) inhibition of the development of lung consolidations, and 4) response for HAI antibodies. When mice were treated with the agent prophylactically, no clear antiviral effect was obtained. However, when mice were treated with Ge-132 chemotherapeutically in the early time after virus infection, survival rate of the infected mice was increased significantly. Although the antiviral effect was displayed when Ge-132 was administered ip, sc, and im, oral treatment of the compound resulted in the greatest protection. Since Ge-132 itself have no direct action on virus perticles and virus infected cells in vitro, these antiviral effects of the agent against influenza diseases in vivo may be expressed through a potentiation of host's defense functions including an interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production and an augmentation of natural killer (NK) cell activity. The IFN-γ inducing-and NK cell stimulating-activities of Ge-132 have been already demonstrated in animals and in man.