Osong Public Health Res Perspect.  2017 Oct;8(5):318-324. 10.24171/j.phrp.2017.8.5.05.

Antiviral Activity of Itraconazole against Echovirus 30 Infection In Vitro

• Lee JS
• Choi HJ
• Song JH
• Ko HJ
• Yoon K
• Seong JM

• KMID: 2395841
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2017.8.5.05

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Echovirus 30 is a major cause of meningitis in children and adults. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the antifungal drug itraconazole could exhibit antiviral activity against echovirus 30.
METHODS
The cytopathic effect and viral RNA levels were assessed in RD cells as indicators of viral replication. The effects of itraconazole were compared to those of two known antiviral drugs, rupintrivir and pleconaril. The time course and time-of-addition assays were used to approximate the time at which itraconazole exerts its activity in the viral cycle.
RESULTS
Itraconazole and rupintrivir demonstrated the greatest potency against echovirus 30, demonstrating concentration-dependent activity, whereas pleconaril showed no antiviral activity. Itraconazole did not directly inactivate echovirus 30 particles or impede viral uptake into RD cells, but did affect the initial stages of echovirus 30 infection through interference with viral replication.
CONCLUSION
Itraconazole can be considered a lead candidate for the development of antiviral drugs against echovirus 30 that may be used during the early stages of echovirus 30 replication.

Keyword

itraconazole; meningitis; viruses

MeSH Terms

Adult
Antiviral Agents
Child
Enterovirus B, Human*
Humans
In Vitro Techniques*
Itraconazole*
Meningitis
RNA, Viral
Antiviral Agents
Itraconazole
RNA, Viral