Antiviral Drugs

Efforts are underway at various institutions to assess potential anti- SARS-CoV agents in vitro. According to the data available so far, Ribavirin, a "broad spectrum" agent, which is active against various RNA viruses (Tam) and which has been used extensively in SARS patients (Koren), seems to lack in vitro efficacy. Convalescent plasma and normal human immunoglobulin, not containing specific anti- SARS-CoV antibodies, have also been used in SARS patients (Wong). In addition, interferons may be promising candidate drugs (Cinatl 2003b).

In the light of the widespread utilization of traditional Chinese medicine in SARS patients in the Far East it is interesting that glycyrrhizin, a compound found in liquorice roots, was recently reported to have a good in vitro activity against SARS-CoV (Cinatl 2003a).

Further research includes detailed physico-chemical analysis of SARS-CoV proteins to allow the development of novel compounds based on targeted drug design (Anand; Thiel).