Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus is inhibited by interferon- alpha.
Current treatment schemes for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) include broad-spectrum antibiotics, glucocorticoids, and ribavirin. We evaluated the susceptibility of the SARS-related coronavirus (SARS CoV) to ribavirin and interferon (IFN)- alpha in vitro by use of cytopathic effect, plaque assay, and immunoblot analysis. Ribavirin did not inhibit viral growth at concentrations attainable in human serum. In contrast, IFN- alpha showed an in vitro inhibitory effect starting at concentrations of 1000 IU/mL. In conclusion, ribavirin alone is unlikely to be beneficial in the prophylaxis or treatment of SARS CoV infections. Clinical trials with IFN- alpha might be justified to determine a beneficial effect on the outcome of SARS.
Ströher
Ute
U
National Microbiology Laboratory, Health Canada, and Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
DiCaro
Antonino
A
Li
Yan
Y
Strong
James E
JE
Aoki
Fred
F
Plummer
Frank
F
Jones
Steven M
SM
Feldmann
Heinz
H
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000494:pharmacology; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000821:virology*; D014709:Vero Cells
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin