Poly(I)-Poly(C12U) but Not Ribavirin Prevents Death in a Hamster Model of Nipah Virus Infection

M. C Georges-Courbot (1, 2, 3) , H. Contamin (1, 2, 3) , C. Faure (1, 2, 3) , P. Loth (1, 2, 3) , Sylvain Baize (1, 2, 3) , P. Leyssen (4) , J. Neyts (4) , V. Deubel (1, 2, 3)

1 UBIVE - Biologie des Infections Virales Émergentes - Biology of Emerging Viral Infections
2 Laboratoire P4 - Jean Mérieux
3 Institut fédératif de recherche 128-Biosciences [Lyon]
4 KU Leuven - Catholic University of Leuven - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

Clinical nonrandomized trials demonstrate some efficacy for ribavirin in the treatment of patients with severe Nipah virus-induced encephalitis. We report here that EICAR, the 5-ethynyl analogue of ribavirin, and the OMP-decarboxylase inhibitors 6-aza-uridine and pyrazofurin have strong antiviral activity against Nipah virus replication in vitro. Ribavirin and 6-aza-uridine were tested further in hamsters infected with a lethal dose of Nipah virus. The activity of these small-molecule inhibitors was compared with that of the interferon inducer poly(I)-poly(C 12 U). Both ribavirin and 6-aza-uridine were able to delay but not prevent Nipah virus-induced mortality. Poly(I)-poly(C 12 U), at 3 mg/kg of body weight daily from the day of infection to 10 days postinfection, prevented mortality in 5 of 6 infected animals.

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Microbiology and Parasitology; Virology

M. C Georges-Courbot, H. Contamin, C. Faure, P. Loth, Sylvain Baize, et al.. Poly(I)-Poly(C12U) but Not Ribavirin Prevents Death in a Hamster Model of Nipah Virus Infection. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2006, 50 (5), pp.1768 - 1772. ⟨10.1128/aac.50.5.1768-1772.2006⟩. ⟨pasteur-03236209⟩