Virological response to peramivir treatment in adults hospitalised for influenza-associated lower respiratory tract infections.

ABSTRACT

An open-label trial on intravenous peramivir was conducted among adult patients hospitalised for influenza-associated lower respiratory tract complications (LRTCs). Virus culture and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) were performed serially until Day 10. Peramivir treatment was associated with viral RNA decline as well as culture and RNA negativity, which occurred at rates comparable with those of oseltamivir by Day 5, viral load decline -2.5 log10 copies/mL [ßinteraction -0.071, standard error (SE) 0.121, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.309 to 0.167]; culture-negative, 94% (vs. 95%); and RNA-negative, 44% (vs. 36%). Extended treatment of >5 days was required in 69% of cases because of slow clinical resolution and viral clearance in LRTCs. Peramivir was well tolerated. These data are useful for future trial design in this unique population.