Journal of Pediatrics Review (Jul 2014)
Use of Ribavirin treatment in Pre-transplant patients with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Upper Respiratory Tract Infection: Case report and Review of Literature
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus infection in patients undergoing haematopoetic stem cell transplantation can be associated with high morbidity and mortality. Lymphocytopenia is an important factor associated with progression of upper to lower respiratory tract infection. The only licensed antiviral treatment for Respiratory syncytial virus available currently is ribavirin, although additional immunomodulatory therapies may also play a beneficial role. We report two cases of pre-transplant patients with acute myeloid leukaemia who were considered for ribavirin treatment for Respiratory syncytial virus upper respiratory tract infection and review the published literature on this. The use of ribavirin in immunocompromised patients with Respiratory syncytial virus upper respiratory tract infection to reduce the risk of progression to lower respiratory tract infection is unclear. In patients with Respiratory syncytial virus upper respiratory tract infection detected in the pre-transplant stage, delay of transplantation remains the most effective method of reducing morbidity and mortality.
