Metabolism of ribavirin in respiratory syncytial virus-infected and uninfected cells

Ribavirin in respiratory syncytial virus infection

At a recent workshop on infection the indications for ribavirin were discussed. Ribavirin has recently been licensed for hospital use in the United Kingdom having previously been available only on a named patient basis. Nebulised ribavirin is being vigorously promoted by the United Kingdom marketing company, Brittania Pharmaceuticals, for selected use in respiratory syncytial virus infections l...

Metabolism of acyclovir in virus-infected and uninfected cells.

The metabolism of acyclovir to its mono-, di-, and triphosphate derivatives was examined in uninfected and virus-infected cells. The level of phosphorylation of acyclovir was dependent upon virus type, cell line, exogenous drug concentration, and exposure time. Acyclovir phosphorylation was inhibited by exogenously added nucleosides. The order of inhibition was deoxythymidine greater than deoxy...

Ribavirin for respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Over the winter of 1988, 10 infants with congenital heart disease were treated for severe bronchiolitis at Guy's Hospital. All required respiratory support of greater than 50% oxygen in a headbox, and seven required assisted ventilation. Seven patients were positive for respiratory syncytial virus, and seven received nebulised ribavirin for three to five days. There were four deaths, all infant...

Analysis of proteins synthesized in respiratory syncytial virus-infected cells.

The spectrum of respiratory syncytial virus-encoded proteins was examined in infected cell extracts by standard polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by two-dimensional gel analysis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of a variety of respiratory syncytial virus-infected, actinomycin D-treated cell lines revealed the presence of as many as nine virus-encoded proteins. Seven of these ni...

Epithelial Cells Induce Eosinophil Degranulation Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Infected Pulmonary