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EPA Method 1615. Measurement of Enterovirus and Norovirus Occurrence in Water by Culture and RT-qPCR. I. Collection of Virus Samples
Published on: March 28, 2015
Treatment of potentially life-threatening enterovirus infections with pleconaril
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA. harley.rotbart@uchsc.edu
Abstract:
Enteroviruses usually cause self-limited disease that, although associated with high morbidity, is rarely fatal. In certain patient populations, however, the enteroviruses may cause potentially life-threatening infections. Pleconaril is a novel compound that integrates into the capsid of picornaviruses, including enteroviruses and rhinoviruses, preventing the virus from attaching to cellular receptors and uncoating to release RNA into the cell. Pleconaril was used on a compassionate-release basis to treat patients with potentially life-threatening enterovirus infections, and for 38 of these patients sufficient follow-up data were available for determining responses to therapy. Response was evaluated in 4 categories: clinical, virological, laboratory, and radiological. Most patients (28 [78%] of 36), including 12 of 16 with chronic enterovirus meningoencephalitis, were judged to have a clinical response temporally associated with pleconaril therapy. Similarly, nearly all patients whose virological responses (12 [92%] of 13), laboratory responses (14 [88%] of 16), and radiological responses (3 [60%] of 5) could be evaluated were judged to have responded favorably to a course of pleconaril treatment. Adverse effects were minimal and the drug was generally well-tolerated.
Insights
Pleconaril, an antiviral, effectively treated severe enterovirus infections in patients. The drug demonstrated positive clinical, virological, and radiological responses with minimal side effects, offering a promising therapeutic option.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Enteroviruses typically cause mild illnesses but can lead to severe, life-threatening infections in specific populations.
- Current treatment options for severe enterovirus infections are limited, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pleconaril in treating patients with potentially life-threatening enterovirus infections.
- To assess pleconaril's impact on clinical, virological, laboratory, and radiological outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Pleconaril was administered on a compassionate-use basis to patients with severe enterovirus infections.
- Patient responses were evaluated across four categories: clinical, virological, laboratory, and radiological.
- Follow-up data from 38 patients were analyzed to determine treatment efficacy.
Main Results:
- A significant majority of patients (78%) showed a clinical response to pleconaril therapy.
- High response rates were observed in virological (92%), laboratory (88%), and radiological (60%) assessments.
- Pleconaril was generally well-tolerated, with minimal adverse effects reported.
Conclusions:
- Pleconaril demonstrates significant efficacy in treating severe enterovirus infections across multiple response parameters.
- The favorable safety profile and positive outcomes suggest pleconaril as a promising therapeutic agent for critical enterovirus cases.
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