Use of Deuterium Oxide for Treating Viral Diseases of the Eye

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of deuterium oxide for the prophylaxis and/or therapy of viral diseases of the eye.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for the prevention and/or treatment of a virus-based disease of an eye, wherein said method comprises contacting the eye with deuterium oxide. 
     
     
         19 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the virus-based disease of the eye is conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, and/or uveitis. 
     
     
         20 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, follicular conjunctivitis, pharyngoconjunctival fever, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, herpes simplex blepharitis, herpes simplex keratitis, dendritic keratitis, interstitial keratitis, endotheliitis, disciform keratitis, (varicella) zoster opthalmicus, ophthalmia neonatorum, molluscum contagiosum, canaliculitis, dacryoadenitis, acute dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis, acute retinal necrosis, episcleritis, scleritis, choroiditis, chorioretinitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, retinitis, acute necrotizing retinitis, scleritis, anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, panuveitis, uveoretinitis, cataract, ocular muscle paresis, and congenital glaucoma. 
     
     
         21 . The method, according to  claim 18 , used to treat a combination of two or more virus-based diseases of the eye. 
     
     
         22 . The method, according to  claim 21 , wherein the two or more virus-based diseases of the eye occur simultaneously or successively. 
     
     
         23 . The method, according to  claim 18 , used to treat rhinoconjunctivitis. 
     
     
         24 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the virus is of a family selected from the group consisting of Herpesviridae, Poxviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Coronaviridae, Chordopoxviridae, Togaviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Retroviridae, Adenoviridae, Picornaviridae, and Rhabdoviridae. 
     
     
         25 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the virus is a virus of a genus selected from the group consisting of  Simplexvirus, Varicellovirus, Cytomegalovirus, Lymphocryptovirus, Chordopoxvirus, Rubivirus, Respirovirus, Morbillivirus, Rubulavirus,  Adenovirus, Influenza A virus, Influenza B virus,  Lentivirus, Mastadenovirus, Orthopoxvirus, Enterovirus, Rhinovirus, Lyssavirus,  and  Pneumovirus.    
     
     
         26 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the virus is a virus of a species selected from the group consisting of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), human cytomegalovirus (HMCV), Epstein-Barr virus,  molluscipoxvirus, vaccinia virus, rubivirus, rubella virus,  parainfluenza virus 1, parainfluenza virus 2, parainfluenza virus 3, parainfluenza virus 4, measles virus, mumps virus, human immunodeficiency virus, human adenovirus A, human adenovirus B, human adenovirus C, human adenovirus D, human adenovirus E, human adenovirus F, poliovirus, echovirus, coxsackie A virus, coxsackie B virus, rhinovirus, rabies virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and rift Valley fever virus. 
     
     
         27 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the deuterium oxide is administered topically. 
     
     
         28 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the deuterium oxide hydrates the mucous membranes of the eye. 
     
     
         29 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the deuterium oxide is used in combination with at least one other pharmaceutically active substance and/or at least one other non-pharmaceutically active substance. 
     
     
         30 . The method, according to  claim 29 , wherein the at least one other pharmaceutically active substance is selected from the group consisting of viro-static agents, sympathomimetic agents, proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and immunosuppressive agents. 
     
     
         31 . The method, according to  claim 29 , wherein the at least one other non-pharmaceutically active substance is selected from the group consisting of pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acids or bases; polymers; copolymers; block copolymers; monosaccharides; polysaccharides; ionic and nonionic surfactants, or lipids, as well as mixtures thereof; albumin; transferrin; and DNA repair proteins. 
     
     
         32 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the deuterium oxide is administered as a formulation. 
     
     
         33 . The method, according to  claim 32 , wherein the formulation is a liquid, cream, ointment, gel, or hydrogel. 
     
     
         34 . A method for the production of a drug for the prevention and/or treatment of virus-based disease of the eye wherein said method comprises the use of deuterium oxide.