The "bird flu" virus as seen through a microscope. The anti-HIV drugs known as protease inhibitors may be effective against the bird flu virus, said an Italian researcher. (AFP file photo)

    BEIJING, March. 2 -- The anti-HIV drugs known as protease inhibitors may be effective against the bird flu virus, said an Italian researcher.

    Protease inhibitors may be of use against H5N1 is indirect, as findings suggested that these agents are effective against a third virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS), which has structural similarities to H5N1.

    In a paper to be published in the Journal of Clinical Virology, Dr. Andrea Savarino of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, discusses how the anti-HIV drug Kaletra -- a combination of two protease inhibitors, ritonavir and lopinavir -- showed potential benefit in treating patients with SARS.

    Computer simulations showed that protease inhibitors did bind to the main SARS protease, dubbed 3CL-pro, and that the sequence of the 3CL-pro was similar to a component of H5N1's protease, Savarino told Reuters Health.

    Dr. Savarino concluded that there is enough evidence to begin testing HIV protease inhibitors against the deadly H5N1 virus. Enditem

(Agencies)