Bioassay system for determining ribavirin levels in human serum and urine.

Abstract

A simple, sensitive, micromethod was developed to determine levels of ribavirin, or its active metabolic products, in human serum or urine. The procedure utilized the inhibition of measles virus cytopathic effect in BS-C-1 cells. Based upon maximum dilutions of human serum or urine containing ribavirin which inhibited the measles virus, the bioassay detected ribavirin in concentrations as low as 0.006 microgram/ml in serum or 0.03 microgram/ml in urine. Herpesvirus 1, parainfluenza virus 3 and reovirus 1 were also tested for sensitivity to ribavirin. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of ribavirin in serum or urine against these other viruses were no lower 0.32 microgram/ml.

• Authors: D F Smee, R W Sidwell, B B Barnett, R S Spendlove
• Journal: Chemotherapy (Chemotherapy) Vol. 27 Issue 1 Pg. 1-11 ( 1981) ISSN: 0009-3157 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 7011693 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Ribonucleosides
• Ribavirin

Topics

• Biological Assay (methods)
• Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral (drug effects)
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Humans
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests
• Ribavirin (analysis)
• Ribonucleosides (analysis)
• Viruses (drug effects)