Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 58 (5), 313-315, 2005

To see a printable version of the article in the Adobe file format, click this [PDF] link.

Short Communication

Genotoxic Effect of Ribavirin in Patients with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Abdulgani Tatar*, Zulal Ozkurt1 and Ilhami Kiki2

Department of Medical Genetics, 1Department of Infectious Diseases and 2Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey

(Received February 21, 2005. Accepted July 19, 2005)


*Corresponding author: Mailing address: Ataturk Uni. Tip Fak. Tibbi Genetik A.B.D., Dekanlik Binasi Kat:2, 25240 Erzurum Turkey. Tel: +90 442 2361212/1051, Fax: +90 442 2360968, E-mail: abdulganitatar@hotmail.com, atatar@gmail.com


SUMMARY: In this study, we investigated the in vivo genotoxicity of ribavirin in humans, studying 3 patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever who were treated with high-dose ribavirin. In order to evaluate genotoxicity, both the micronucleus (MN) test and the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test were used. In all patients, blood samples were taken during and after therapy. Whole blood cultures were performed for 72 h and the MN assay and SCE test were then carried out to demonstrate the genotoxicity. In all patients, both SCE and MN amounts were found to be higher in the samples which were taken during therapy than in those at 1 month after therapy. The results of our study reveal that ribavirin has a reversible in vivo genotoxic effect on humans.


Go to JJID Homepage

Go to JJID 58 (5) Contents