AI Article Synopsis
- Ribavirin is a nucleoside analogue with antiviral properties against various viruses, and its effectiveness is supported by five distinct mechanisms of action.
- These mechanisms include indirect effects like inhibiting certain enzymes and boosting the immune response, as well as direct effects such as interfering with RNA capping and causing lethal mutations in viral RNA.
- Recent interest in ribavirin has grown due to bioterrorism concerns, leading to research on its efficacy and the potential for viral resistance in different virus/host combinations.
Article Abstract
The nucleoside analogue ribavirin has antiviral activity against many distinct viruses both in vitro and in vivo. Five distinct mechanisms have been proposed to explain the antiviral properties of ribavirin. These include both indirect mechanisms (inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibition, immunomodulatory effects) and direct mechanisms (interference with RNA capping, polymerase inhibition, lethal mutagenesis). Recent concerns about bioterrorism have renewed interest in exploring the antiviral activity of ribavirin against unique viruses. In this paper, we review the proposed mechanisms of action with emphasis on recent discoveries, as well as the implications of ribavirin resistance. Evidence exists to support each of the five proposed mechanisms of action, and distinct virus/host combinations may preferentially favour one or more of these mechanisms during antiviral therapy.
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Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7169142 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rmv.483 | DOI Listing |
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