Ribavirin suppresses replication of lymphadenopathy-associated virus in cultures of human adult T lymphocytes

Abstract

The in-vitro effect of ribavirin on the replication of lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), one of the prototype viruses aetiologically associated with lymphadenopathy syndrome and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, was tested. Ribavirin, a nucleoside, suppressed the replication of LAV in cultures of human adult T lymphocytes. Suppression occurred at ribavirin concentrations of 50 micrograms/ml or higher.

PIP: This study investigated the in vitro effect of the drug ribavirin on the replication of lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), a prototype virus etiologically associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ribavirin has been shown to have low toxicity in humans and its effect is reversible when the drug is discontinued. The study data suggest that ribavirin inhibits the replication of LAV in human adult T lymphocytes in vitro. Significant suppression of virus replication was noted at higher drug concentrations (50 and 100 mcg/ml) during the 1st week of infection, although virus replication began to increase on the 8th or 9th day, presumably as a result of degradation of the drug. The data further indicate that ribavirin suppresses viral replication without irreversibly affecting cell function. Although the lowest effective in vitro dose of ribavirin is 30-50 mcg/ml, the in vivo dosage requirement may be different.