Respiratory syncytial virus antiviral agents

Antiviral Efficacy and Clinical Use. Ribavirin (Vira-zole) is active against several RNA and DNA viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).106 Clinically, this drug is used to treat severe RSV pneumonia in infants and young children,106 and RSV in certain adult populations, including the elderly, people with cardiopulmonary problems, and people with a compromised immune system.29 Ribavirin may also be useful as a secondary agent in the treatment of influenza A and B in young adults. The combination of ribavirin and interferons (see section on Interferons, later) is often the treatment of choice in chronic hepatitis C infection.30 72... 

Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the fusion protein of respiratory syncytial virus, preventing infection in susceptible cells in the airways. Its use in neonates at risk for respiratory syncytial virus infection reduces the frequency of infection and hospitalization by about 50% (see Chapter 49 Antiviral Agents). 

Viral respiratory tract infections for which treatments exist include those of influenza types A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). [Note Immunization against influenza A is the preferred approach. However, antiviral agents are employed when patients are allergic to the vaccine or when the outbreak is due to an immunologic variant of the virus not covered by vaccines, or when outbreaks occur among unvaccinated individuals at risk who are in closed settings, for example, in a nursing home.]... 

Ribavirin is a virustatic agent approved for administration as an aerosol for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus [93,94]. However, its therapeutic efficacy in this disease has come into question of late [95]. A newer group of antiviral agents have been developed that... 

Sudo K, Miyazaki Y, Kojima N et al (2005) YM-53403, a unique anti-respiratory syncytial virus agent with a novel mechanism of action. Antiviral Res 65 125-131... 

Amantidine and rimantidine belong to this class. Both are synthetic derivatives of the tricyclic amines and were noted by chance to have antiviral activity. Both agents destroy intracellular vesicles involved in the uptake of virus to host cells. They inhibit the myxoviruses, rubella, respiratory syncytial, and influenza A... 

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