ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Effect of Ribavirin on Junin Virus Infection in Guinea Pigs

  1. M. Salazar,
  2. N. E. Yun,
  3. A. L. Poussard,
  4. J. N. Smith,
  5. J. K. Smith,
  6. O. A. Kolokoltsova,
  7. M. J. Patterson,
  8. J. Linde,
  9. S. Paessler

Article first published online: 2 JAN 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2011.01447.x

Issue

Zoonoses and Public Health

Zoonoses and Public Health

Volume 59, Issue 4, pages 278–285, June 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Salazar, M., Yun, N. E., Poussard, A. L., Smith, J. N., Smith, J. K., Kolokoltsova, O. A., Patterson, M. J., Linde, J. and Paessler, S. (2012), Effect of Ribavirin on Junin Virus Infection in Guinea Pigs. Zoonoses and Public Health, 59: 278–285. doi: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2011.01447.x

Author Information

  1. Galveston National Laboratory and Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Department of Pathology, Sealy Vaccine Center, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA

*S. Paessler. Department of Pathology, Galveston National Laboratory, UTMB, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-1019, USA. Tel.: (409) 747 0764; Fax: (409) 747 0762; E-mail: slpaessl@utmb.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 APR 2012
  2. Article first published online: 2 JAN 2012
  3. Received for publication August 24, 2011

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Keywords:

  • Junin virus;
  • Argentine haemorrhagic fever;
  • animal model;
  • antiviral therapy;
  • ribavirin

Summary

Junin virus (JUNV) is the aetiological agent of Argentine haemorrhagic fever. The pathogenesis of the infection is not well understood, no licensed vaccines exist and no specific antiviral therapy is available. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of ribavirin to delay and reduce JUNV disease and virus burden in guinea pigs without preventing death. Based on available data, we performed three different studies to determine the efficacy of ribavirin against JUNV in the guinea pig model with a focus on survival. Different doses and treatment schedules of ribavirin were tested in a lethal model of JUNV infection. Our results show that prolonged treatment with high doses of ribavirin significantly reduces the mortality in guinea pigs infected with JUNV. These results may be useful in future experimental studies or clinical testing.

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