Interferon-beta 1a and SARS coronavirus replication

Emerg Infect Dis. 2004 Feb;10(2):317-9. doi: 10.3201/eid1002.030482.

Abstract

A global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by a novel coronavirus began in March 2003. The rapid emergence of SARS and the substantial illness and death it caused have made it a critical public health issue. Because no effective treatments are available, an intensive effort is under way to identify and test promising antiviral drugs. Here, we report that recombinant human interferon-beta 1a potently inhibits SARS coronavirus replication in vitro.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / drug effects
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Interferon Type I / pharmacology
  • Interferon beta-1a
  • Interferon-beta / pharmacology*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / virology
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / drug effects*
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / physiology*
  • Vero Cells
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon Type I
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Interferon-beta
  • Interferon beta-1a