A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of dexamethasone in severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection: effects on RSV quantity and clinical outcome.
Forty-one previously healthy children <2 years of age who required mechanical ventilation for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection were randomized to receive dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg; n=22) or saline placebo (n=19) intravenously every 12 h for 4 days. RSV quantity was measured by quantitative plaque assay in fresh tracheal and nasal aspirates obtained at intervals of 24+/-3 h on days 0, 1, 2, 5, and 7 following entry. Analysis by linear mixed-effects modeling demonstrated a significantly greater decline in mean tracheal RSV quantity in the placebo group than in the dexamethasone group from day 0 to day 1 (0.82 vs. 0.21 log pfu/mL; P=.01) and from day 0 to day 2 (1.45 vs. 0.53 log pfu/mL; P=.03). No differences were found between groups in nasal RSV quantity, white blood cell counts in tracheal or nasal aspirates, serum neutralizing antibody titers during convalescence, or duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, or hospital stay.
Buckingham
Steven C
SC
Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA. sbuckingham@utmem.edu
Jafri
Hasan S
HS
Bush
Andrew J
AJ
Carubelli
Cecilia M
CM
Sheeran
Paul
P
Hardy
R Doug
RD
Ottolini
Martin G
MG
Ramilo
Octavio
O
DeVincenzo
John P
JP
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014132:Trachea / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D019562:Viral Load
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D003907:Dexamethasone