| Title | The efficacy of intranasal interferon alpha-2a in respiratory syncytial virus infection in volunteers. | ||
| Author | Higgins, P G; Barrow, G I; Tyrrell, D A; Isaacs, D; Gauci, C L | ||
| Journal | Antiviral Res | Publication Year/Month | 1990-Jul |
| PMID | 2080867 | PMCID | PMC7134029 |
| Affiliation | 1.MRC Common Cold Unit, Harvard Hospital, Salisbury, U.K. | ||
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, self-administered intranasal interferon alpha-2a or placebo was given both before and after challenge with respiratory syncytial virus. The incidence of colds and the severity of signs and symptoms were reduced in those receiving interferon alpha-2a as compared with those given placebo. In a further double-blind, placebo-controlled study, self-administered interferon alpha-2a or placebo was given only to those volunteers who developed colds following challenge with respiratory syncytial virus. There was no evidence that interferon alpha-2a reduced the severity of the signs and symptoms or shortened the duration of the illness. The similarity of these results to the effect of interferon alpha-2a in rhinovirus infections in volunteers is discussed.