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Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2001) 47, 251-259
© 2001 The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

Review

New treatments for viral respiratory tract infections—opportunities and problems

N. J. C. Snell*,

Bayer Pharma, Stoke Court, Stoke Poges, Slough SL2 4LY, UK


   Introduction
 
Viruses are the most common cause of respiratory tract infections (RTIs), yet in contrast to the plethora of antibiotics available for the treatment of bacterial RTI, until very recently only three agents were widely approved for the treatment of viral RTIs: amantadine and rimantadine for influenza A, and ribavirin for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection—and amantadine was first marketed in 1966.

In 1999 the novel anti-influenza agents, zanamivir and oseltamivir, were launched. Controversy has attended the failure to reimburse zanamivir therapy in some countries, and the initial advice from the new National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK that it should not be generally prescribed.1 With several new therapies for viral RTIs in late stages of clinical development, now is perhaps an appropriate time to take stock of the situation.


   Disorders due to viral RTI
 
The most frequent symptom complex due to viral infection of the respiratory tract is the common cold (coryza). . . . [Full Text of this Article]


   Therapy for rhinovirus and coronavirus infection
 

   Anti-influenza agents
 

   Therapy for RSV infection
 

   Rare or novel viral RTI
 

   Viral pneumonitis in the immunosuppressed
 

   The problem of resistance
 

   Notes
 

   References
 

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