Inhibition of SARS Coronavirus Infection In Vitro with Clinically Approved Antiviral Drugs

Inhibition of SARS Coronavirus Infection In Vitro with Clinically Approved Antiviral Drugs

Lawrence W. Stanton, Bing Lim, Eng Eong Ooi, Ai Ee Ling, Hwee Cheng Tan, Chin-Yo Lin, Emily L.C. Tan

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an infectious disease caused by a newly identified human coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Currently, no effective drug exists to treat SARS-CoV infection. In this study, we investigated whether a panel of commercially available antiviral drugs exhibit in vitro anti–SARS-CoV activity. A drug-screening assay that scores for virus-induced cytopathic effects on cultured cells was used. Tested were 19 clinically approved compounds from several major antiviral pharmacologic classes: nucleoside analogs, interferons, protease inhibitors, reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and neuraminidase inhibitors. Complete inhibition of cytopathic effects of SARS-CoV in culture was observed for interferon subtypes, β-1b, α-n1, α-n3, and human leukocyte interferon α. These findings support clinical testing of approved interferons for the treatment of SARS.

2004

antiviral, in vitro, antivirals, Antiviral Agents, agents, antiviral drugs

DOI: 10.3201/eid1004.030458

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Infectious and parasitic diseases, Medicine