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Time to reconsider the role of ribavirin in Lassa fever.

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 However, reanalysis of previous unpublished data reveals that ribavirin may actually be harmful in some Lassa fever patients.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.

SUBMITTER: Salam AP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8266111 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Time to reconsider the role of ribavirin in Lassa fever.

Salam Alex Paddy AP Cheng Vincent V Edwards Tansy T Olliaro Piero P Sterne Jonathan J Horby Peter P

PLoS neglected tropical diseases 20210708 7

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 However, reanalysis of previous unpublished data reveals that ribavirin may actually be harmful in some Lassa fever patients.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. ...[more]

PMID: 34237063

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