Preventive and therapeutic approaches to viral agents of bioterrorism.
Certain viruses, such as those that cause smallpox and hemorrhagic fevers, have been identified as possible bioterrorism agents by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They have been designated as potential threats because large quantities can be propagated in cell culture, they are transmissible as aerosols and, for the most part, there are only limited vaccine and pharmaceutical strategies for either prevention or treatment of established infection. An additional concern is the potential to genetically modify these agents to enhance virulence or promote resistance to vaccines or identified antivirals. Although the major impact of these agents is human illness, the release of zoonotic agents, such as the Nipah virus, would have consequences for both humans and animals because infected and noninfected animals might need to be sacrificed to control the spread of infection. Continued research is necessary to develop effective strategies to limit the impact of these biological threats.
Bronze
Michael S
MS
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Oklahoma Health, Sciences Center and the Oklahoma City, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Oklahoma City, USA. Michael-Bronze@ouhsc.edu
Greenfield
Ronald A
RA
D000818:Animals; D006477:Arenaviruses, New World / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D023482:Bioterrorism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D012901:Variola virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control
D014765:Viral Vaccines