Abstract:
A broadly active viral inhibitor, termed UTI-. beta. , is disclosed and having the following characteristics: (a) an apparent molecular mass of about 60 to about 90 kDa, based on HPLC size exclusion chromatography; (b) broad antiviral activity against a number of different viruses including herpesviruses, poxviruses, picornaviruses, paramyxoviruses, alphaviruses, flaviviruses and bunyaviruses; (c) lacking species specificity; (d) stable to temperatures ranging between 4. degree. C. and 80. degree. C. , and denatured by treatment at 80. degree. C. for greater than 10 minutes; (e) unstable to periodate oxidation; (f) found spontaneously in mammalian host serum in the absence of viral infection; (g) both carbohydrate and protein structure; and (h) stable or enhanced viral inhibitory activity after proteolytic digestion. This viral inhibitor is useful for the treatment and prophylaxis of a broad range of viral infections occurring in mammalian hosts.