Figure 5. Effect of abbreviated or delayed ribavirin therapy on lethal Andes virus infection in hamsters.

Hamsters were infected with a lethal dose of Andes virus as described in the materials and methods section and treated with ribavirin at 50 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ as outlined below. (A) Effect of abbreviated ribavirin therapy. Groups of 6 (treated) or 3 (control) infected hamsters were treated with ribavirin or PBS beginning on day 1 post-infection. On days 3, 5 and 7 post-infection therapy was terminated for one treatment and control group. (B) Effect of delayed ribavirin therapy. On days 3, 5 and 7 post-infection, a ten day therapeutic schedule consisting of daily ribavirin or PBS injections was initiated for one treatment or control group (6 and 3 infected hamsters, respectively).