Ribavirin: a drug active against many viruses with multiple effects on virus replication and propagation. Molecular basis of ribavirin resistance.
Ribavirin has proven to be effective against several viruses in the clinical setting and a multitude of viruses in vitro. With up to five different proposed mechanisms of action, recent advances have begun to discern the hierarchy of antiviral effects at play depending on the virus and the host conditions under scrutiny. Studies reveal that for many viruses, antiviral mechanisms may differ depending on cell type in vitro and in vivo. Further analyses are thus required to accurately identify mechanisms to more optimally determine clinical treatments. In recent years, a growing number of ribavirin resistant and sensitive variants have been identified. These variants not only inform on the specific mechanisms by which ribavirin enfeebles the virus, but also can themselves be tools to identify new antiviral compounds.
Institut Pasteur, Viral Populations and Pathogenesis Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 3569, 28 rue du Dr Roux, Paris cedex 15, 75724, France.
Stéphanie
S
Beaucourt
Institut Pasteur, Viral Populations and Pathogenesis Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 3569, 28 rue du Dr Roux, Paris cedex 15, 75724, France. Electronic address: marco.vignuzzi@pasteur.fr.
Marco
M
Vignuzzi
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D006801:Humans; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*; D014780:Viruses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin