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

Abstract : 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.