Experience With Intravenous Ribavirin in the Treatment of Hemorrhagic Fever With Renal Syndrome in Korea

摘要

Results of a clinical study using intravenous (IV) ribavirin for treating Department of Defense personnel with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) acquired in Korea from 1987 to 2005 were reviewed to determine the clinical course of HFRS treated with IV ribavirin. A total of 38 individuals enrolled in the study had subsequent serological confirmation of HFRS. Four of the 38 individuals received three or fewer doses of ribavirin and were excluded from treatment analysis. Of the remaining 34 individuals, oliguria was present in one individual at treatment initiation; none of the remaining 33 subjects developed oliguria or required dialysis. The mean peak serum creatinine was 3.46 mg/dL and occurred on day 2 of ribavirin therapy. Both the peak serum creatinine and the onset of polyuria occurred on mean day 6.8 of illness. Reversible hemolytic anemia was the main adverse event of ribavirin, with a > or = 25% decrease in hematocrit observed in 26/34 (76.5%) individuals. Based on historical controls of HFRS in Korea where oliguria has been reported in 39% to 69% cases and dialysis required in approximately 40% cases of HFRS caused by Hantaan virus, IV ribavirin given early in illness may prevent oliguria and decrease the dialysis requirement.