Failure of zanamivir therapy for pneumonia in a bone-marrow transplant recipient infected by a zanamivir-sensitive influenza A (H1N1) virus.
Influenza A viruses are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality after bone marrow transplantation. Here we report failure of inhaled zanamivir treatment in a bone-marrow transplant recipient with pneumonia caused by an influenza A (H1N1) virus, although the influenza viruses isolated from bronchoalveolar lavages before and after treatment were clearly found to be sensitive to zanamivir using cell-based and enzymatic assays. Subsequent oral treatment with oseltamivir allowed complete recovery. Poor bioavailability of zanamivir in the peripheral lungs might have been limiting treatment efficacy in such an immunocompromised patient.
Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Virus Respiratoires, URA CNRS 1966, Université Paris 7 EA302, Centre National de Référence du virus influenzae (Région Nord), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Rita
R
Medeiros
Marie-Anne
MA
Rameix-Welti
Valérie
V
Lorin
Patricia
P
Ribaud
Jean-Claude
JC
Manuguerra
Gérard
G
Socie
Catherine
C
Scieux
Nadia
N
Naffakh
Sylvie
S
van der Werf
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000187:drug effects*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D012008:Recurrence; D017211:Treatment Failure; D053243:Zanamivir / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053243:Zanamivir