The use of oral ribavirin in the management of La Crosse viral infections

Since its recognition in 1964, La Crosse (LAC) virus has been recognized as an important cause of pediatric encephalitis in the United States. The annual incidence of this illness is believed to be between 20 and 30 cases per hundred thousand, though most cases remain undiagnosed. It is typically responsible for a relatively mild disease in humans, though a sub-group of patients suffer from life-threatening illness characterized by permanent neuropsychiatric sequelae. There are currently no approved medications to treat LAC viral infections. However, an anti-RNA viral treatment might prove useful in reducing the length and severity of illness while potentially reducing the risk of permanent sequelae. Evidence exists that the use of ribavirin may form the basis of an effective treatment for LAC viral infections. We propose that oral ribavirin may provide a useful treatment to limit the severity and improve the prognosis of those suffering from LAC viral infections. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.