Time to reconsider the role of ribavirin in Lassa fever
Alex P. Salam, Hung‐Yuan Cheng, Tansy Edwards, Piero Olliaro, Jonathan A C Sterne, Peter Horby
Abstract
Ribavirin is the only available Lassa fever treatment. The rationale for using ribavirin is based on one clinical study conducted in the early 1980s. However, reanalysis of previous unpublished data reveals that ribavirin may actually be harmful in some Lassa fever patients. An urgent reevaluation of ribavirin is therefore needed.
Topics & Concepts
RibavirinLassa feverLassa virusMedicineVirologyIntensive care medicineVirusHepatitis C virusViral Infections and Outbreaks ResearchDisaster Response and ManagementHepatitis B Virus Studies