African Green Monkey Kidney cells were shown to normally synthesize immunoreactive PGE1. Infection of these cells with Sendai virus did not alter rates of PGE1 synthesis, while it stimulated interferon production. PGAs, that we have previously shown to be potent inhibitors of Sendai virus replication in this system, at the same dose (4 micrograms/ml), also strongly inhibited the replication of this virus in HEp-2 cells and in VERO cells, a monkey kidney cell line that does not produce interferon. PGA1 was found to be effective in several cell and virus models, suggesting a broad spectrum of antiviral actions. Finally, we confirmed the observation that PGA1-treatment prevents the establishment of a "carrier state" by Sendai virus, and PGA1-cured cells did not show any sign of persistent infection for periods as long as 110 days after Sendai infection. Attempts to cure already established persistently infected cells were only partially successful.