Favipiravir and Ribavirin Treatment of Epidemiologically Linked Cases of Lassa Fever

Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Sep 1;65(5):855-859. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix406.

Abstract

Two patients with Lassa fever are described who are the first human cases treated with a combination of ribavirin and favipiravir. Both patients survived but developed transaminitis and had prolonged detectable virus RNA in blood and semen, suggesting that the possibility of sexual transmission of Lassa virus should be considered.

Keywords: Lassa; Togo; favipiravir; ribavirin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amides / therapeutic use*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Lassa Fever* / drug therapy
  • Lassa Fever* / physiopathology
  • Lassa Fever* / virology
  • Lassa virus / genetics
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Pyrazines / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*
  • Togo

Substances

  • Amides
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Pyrazines
  • RNA, Viral
  • Ribavirin
  • favipiravir