Mechanism of Action of Ribavirin on Bunyavirus Infected Cells.

摘要

Ribavirin (1-B-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide) or Virazole is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent whose molecular mode of action remains remarkably controversial. The drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1986 for aerosol use in infants with serious infections due to respiratory syncytial virus (RS) Ribavirin is and has been under clinical investigation against a variety of viral illnesses, including those due to influenza virus, Lassa fever, Korean hemorrhagic fever with renal sydrome (KHFS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There has been a great deal of clinical interest in utilizing ribavirn for HIV infections. It has been reported to slow the development of AIDS in HIV infected patients (1). We described here the major mechanisms of actions of this newly licensed drug. (js)