Combination Therapy with Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Ribavirin and Interferon-α for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Issue 5 (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Uh Jin; Won, Eun-Jeong; Kee, Seung-Jung; Jung, Sook-In; Jang, Hee-Chang
• Is Part Of: Antiviral therapy. Volume 21:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 455
• Page End: 459
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: Antiviral agents -- Periodicals; Antiviral Agents -- therapeutic use; Virus Diseases -- therapy; Viruses -- drug effects; Antiviral agents; Periodical; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.9106
• DOI: 10.3851/IMP3002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6535

Abstract

Since the first report of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012 in Saudi Arabia, no standard treatment guideline has been set despite the virulence of MERS-coronavirus (CoV) and the high case-fatality rate. The outbreak in South Korea in 2015 demonstrates that MERS outbreaks can occur outside of the Middle East. The combination of ribavirin and interferon-α has been the most widely used therapy for this infection. However, due to the varying results of treatment with these drugs, a new antiviral combination regimen is urgently needed. This is a case report of use of lopinavir/ritonavir-based combination antiviral therapy for a patient with MERS-CoV infection.