Effect of in vitro Acyclovir Treatment on Selected Functions of Blood-Derived Macrophages

The effect of acyclovir (ACV) treatment on selected functions of human blood-derived macrophages was examined. ACV was not cytotoxic when applied in a wide range of concentrations. Only minor effects on macrophage functions were observed when cells were treated with therapeutic concentrations of ACV:phagocytosis and the production of interferon and tumor necrosis factor were slightly enhanced, while the production of lysozyme was reduced, in a dose-dependent manner. Interferon production was also reduced in the presence of high concentrations of ACV.