Rodent models for the study of therapy against flavivirus infections.
Flaviviruses cause a variety of diseases including (meningo)encephalitis and hemorrhagic fevers. There is no specific antiviral therapy available for the treatment of infections with flaviviruses and such therapy should be urgently developed. Small animal models that are reminiscent of the disease in man will be instrumental to identify therapeutic strategies against flavivirus infections. Here we review models in mice and hamsters that may be used to assess the efficacy of novel antiviral strategies against flavivirus infections.
Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Nathalie
N
Charlier
Pieter
P
Leyssen
Erik
E
De Clercq
Johan
J
Neyts
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005416:Flavivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018177:Flavivirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006482:Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice
D000998:Antiviral Agents