Ebola and Marburg viruses: pathogenesis and development of countermeasures.
Ebola and Marburg viruses, family Filoviridae, are among the best known examples of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Although outbreaks have been sporadic and geographically restricted to areas of Central Africa, the hemorrhagic fevers caused by these viruses are remarkably severe and are associated with high case fatality rates often exceeding 80 percent. In addition to humans, these viruses have decimated populations of wild apes in Central Africa. Currently, there are no vaccines or effective therapies available for human use. Progress in understanding the geneses of the pathophysiological changes that make filoviral infections of humans so destructive has been slow, primarily because these viruses require special containment for safe research. However, an increasing understanding of the molecular mechanisms of filoviral pathogenesis, facilitated by the development of new tools to elucidate critical regulatory elements in the viral life cycle, is providing new targets that can be exploited for therapeutic interventions. In addition, substantial progress has been made in developing recombinant vaccines against these viruses.
Hensley
Lisa E
LE
Virology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA.
Jones
Steven M
SM
Feldmann
Heinz
H
Jahrling
Peter B
PB
Geisbert
Thomas W
TW
D000818:Animals; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008379:Marburg Virus Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D029024:Marburgvirus / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*