Lack of protection against ebola virus from chloroquine in mice and hamsters

Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Jun;21(6):1065-7. doi: 10.3201/eid2106.150176.

Abstract

The antimalarial drug chloroquine has been suggested as a treatment for Ebola virus infection. Chloroquine inhibited virus replication in vitro, but only at cytotoxic concentrations. In mouse and hamster models, treatment did not improve survival. Chloroquine is not a promising treatment for Ebola. Efforts should be directed toward other drug classes.

Keywords: Ebola virus infection; animal model; antimicrobial drugs; antiviral drug; chloroquine; treatment; viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Chloroquine / administration & dosage
  • Chloroquine / pharmacology*
  • Cricetinae
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Ebolavirus / drug effects*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / veterinary*
  • Mice
  • Viral Load
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Chloroquine