[New antivirals for respiratory tract viruses]

NEURAMINIDASE INHIBITORS: Zanamivir, the leading neuraminidase inhibitor has been awarded marketing approval in France for curative treatment of flu. It has been demonstrated that zanamivir reduces the duration of symptoms and the frequency of recourse to antibiotics. INDICATIONS FOR ZANAMIVIR: Besides early prescription for curative treatment of flu, as soon as the first symptoms occur, particularly in vaccinated elderly patients (vaccination is effective in only 70 to 80% of cases), zanamivir could also be used as a preventive treatment in subjects exposed to an index case. EARLY TRIALS WITH PLECONARIL: Pleconaril is active against picomaviruses and appears to have interesting efficacy against exceptionally severe enterovirus infections. Conversely, trials conducted in cases of upper respiratory tract infections and meningitis caused by enteroviruses have shown modest results.