Ribavirin Inhibits Viral-Induced Macrophage Production of TNF, IL-1, the Procoagulant fgl2 Prothrombinase and Preserves Th1 Cytokine Production But Inhibits Th2 Cytokine Response

Ribavirin, a synthetic guanosine analogue, possesses a broad spectrum of activity against DNA and RNA viruses. It has been previously shown to attenuate the course of fulminant hepatitis in mice produced by murine hepatitis virus strain 3. We therefore studied the effects of ribavirin on murine hepatitis virus strain 3 replication, macrophage production of proinflammatory mediators including TNF, IL-1, and the procoagulant activity (PCA), fgl2 prothrombinase; and Th1/Th2 cytokine production. Although ribavirin had inhibitory effects on viral replication (