Document Detail


Interferon alfa-2a in Japanese encephalitis: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12642049     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), although confined to Asia, causes about 35000-50000 cases and 10000 deaths every year, and is the most important cause of encephalitis worldwide. There is no known antiviral treatment for any flavivirus. Results from in-vitro studies and work in animals have shown inteferon alfa has antiviral activity on Japanese encephalitis and other flaviviruses; therefore, we aimed to assess the efficacy of inteferon alfa-2a in Japanese encephalitis. METHODS: We did a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of interferon alfa-2a (10 million units/m2, daily for 7 days) in 112 Vietnamese children with suspected Japanese encephalitis, 87 of whom had serologically confirmed infections. Our primary endpoints were hospital death or severe sequelae at discharge. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS: Overall, 21 children (19%) died, and 17 (15%) had severe sequelae. Outcome at discharge and 3 months did not differ between the two treatment groups; 20 children in the interferon group had a poor outcome (death or severe sequelae), compared with 18 in the placebo group (p=0.85, difference 0.1%, 95% CI -17.5 to 17.6%), there were no long-term side effects of interferon. INTERPRETATION: The doses of interferon alfa-2a given in this regimen did not improve the outcome of patients with Japanese encephalitis.
Authors:
Tom Solomon; Nguyen Minh Dung; Bridget Wills; Rachel Kneen; Mary Gainsborough; Tran Vinh Diet; Tran Thi Nhu Thuy; Ha Thi Loan; Vo Cong Khanh; David W Vaughn; Nicholas J White; Jeremy J Farrar
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Lancet     Volume:  361     ISSN:  0140-6736     ISO Abbreviation:  Lancet     Publication Date:  2003 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2003-03-18     Completed Date:  2003-04-04     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2985213R     Medline TA:  Lancet     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  821-6     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Neurological Science, University of Liverpool, Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Liverpool, UK. tsolomon@liv.ac.uk
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Antiviral Agents / adverse effects,  therapeutic use*
Child
Child, Preschool
Double-Blind Method
Encephalitis, Japanese / drug therapy*,  mortality,  physiopathology
Female
Humans
Infant
Interferon Alfa-2a / adverse effects,  therapeutic use*
Male
Treatment Failure
Vietnam
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Antiviral Agents; 76543-88-9/Interferon Alfa-2a

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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