Bioassay System for Determining Ribavirin Levels in Human Serum and Urine

Authors:
  • DSDonald F. Smee
    Donald F. Smee
  • RSRobert W. Sidwell
    Robert W. Sidwell
  • BBBill B. Barnett
    Bill B. Barnett
  • RSRex S. Spendlove
    Rex S. Spendlove
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A simple, sensitive, micromethod was developed to determine levels of ribavirin, or its active metabolic products, in human serum or urine. The procedure utilized the inhibition of measles virus cytopathic effect in BS-C-1 cells. Based upon maximum dilutions of human serum or urine containing ribavirin which inhibited the measles virus, the bioassay detected ribavirin in concentrations as low as 0.006 microgram/ml in serum or 0.03 microgram/ml in urine. Herpesvirus 1, parainfluenza virus 3 and reovirus 1 were also tested for sensitivity to ribavirin. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of ribavirin in serum or urine against these other viruses were no lower 0.32 microgram/ml.