Effective Treatment of Experimental Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection: Consideration of Favipiravir for Use With Infected Organ Transplant Recipients

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Brady T HickersonBrian B Gowen

Abstract

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) poses a substantial risk to immunocompromised individuals. The case fatality rate in recent clusters of LCMV infection in immunosuppressed organ transplantation recipients has exceeded 70%. In the present study, we demonstrate potent antiviral activity of favipiravir against acute, disseminated LCMV infection in NZB mice. Treatment resulted in complete protection against mortality and dramatic reductions in viral loads. In contrast, ribavirin, the current antiviral of choice, was mostly ineffective. Our findings, and the high lethality associated with LCMV infection in transplant recipients, support the consideration of favipiravir as a first-line therapeutic option.

Citations

Oct 31, 2018·Pathogens·Juan Carlos ZapataMaria S Salvato
Jun 3, 2021·Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease·Tatjana Vilibic-CavlekSnjezana Zidovec-Lepej

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