Ciliary Function, Cell Viability, and in Vitro Effect of Ribavirin on Nasal Epithelial Cells in Acute Rhinorrhea

Nasal epithelial (NE) cells were collected from the nasopharynx of 25 individuals with symptomatic colds and 27 healthy volunteers (controls), and ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was assessed by microscopy employing video motion analysis techniques. Baseline CBF was statistically significantly elevated in the group with colds compared to the control group (14.6 +/- 1.5 Hz [mean +/- SD] vs 13.8 +/- 0.9 Hz; p = 0.02). After four days of incubation …