In vitro inhibition of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus by the antiviral agent ribavirin.

The multiplication in tissue cultures of three isolates of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus as well as the Edmonston strain of measles virus was observed to be inhibited by various concentrations of the antiviral agent ribavirin (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide). The blockage of viral replication by ribavirin could be reversed by the simultaneous addition of equimolar concentrations of either guanosine or adenosine. Expression of virus-specific antigens was greatly reduced in the presence of the antiviral drug.