A comparative test of fifteen compounds against all known human rhinovirus serotypes as a basis for a more rational screening program.

A systematic evaluation of 15 rhinovirus capsid-binding agents against all 100 serotyped human rhinoviruses revealed the existence of two virus groups, based upon differential susceptibility to antiviral compounds. Elongated and short-chained compounds preferentially inhibited groups A and B. The positions of the rhinoviruses within a map derived from a multivariate analysis allow for the selection of a panel of 17 rhinoviruses, for which the median antiviral inhibitory value against them will accurately predict the median value against 100 serotypes. This rationalizes the search for broad-spectrum capsid-binding antirhinovirus drugs, or combinations of drugs with complementary spectra that may be necessary to effectively inhibit both type A and type B viruses.