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Ribavirin effect on experimental Junin virus‐induced encephalitis
Author(s) -
Remesar Mirta C.,
Blejer Jorgelina L.,
Weissenbacher Mercedes C.,
Nejamkis Marta R.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.1890260111
Subject(s) - junin virus , ribavirin , virus , encephalitis , virology , medicine , inoculation , arenavirus , immunology , lymphocytic choriomeningitis , immune system , hepatitis c virus , cd8
Junin virus, the etiological agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever, produces in man a disease mainly characterized by hemorrhagic alterations, commonly accompanied by neurological symptoms, and leading to 10% mortality. Intracerebral inoculation in 10‐day‐old rats or intraperitoneal inoculation in 2‐day‐old rats leads to high mortality due to severe encephalitis. Here, the effect of Ribavirin on these experimental models was tested in order to evaluate the degree of protection achieved against neuropathological manifestations. In intracerebrally infected 10‐day‐old rats the drug was administered 2 hr before virus inoculation. Doses ranged from 30 to 90 mg/kg body weight. Protection reached 40% for the 60 and 90 mg doses. Intraperitoneally infected 2‐day‐old rats received the drug in five 30‐mg daily doses, starting the same day as virus inoculation. Survival was 73%. Viral replication within peritoneal macrophages dropped markedly, leading to much lower CNS viral titres. Together with results reported in primates, our findings support further studies on Ribavirin, with a view to eventual trials in humans.