Development of treatment strategies to combat Ebola and Marburg viruses.
Ebola and Marburg viruses are emerging/re-emerging pathogens that pose a significant threat to human health. These naturally occurring viral infections frequently cause a lethal hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates. The disastrous consequences of infection with these viruses have been pursued as potential biological weapons. To date, there are no therapeutic options available for the prophylaxis or treatment of infected individuals. The recognition that Ebola and Marburg viruses may be exploited as biological weapons has resulted in major efforts to develop modalities to counter infection. In this review, select technologies and approaches will be highlighted as part of the critical path for the development of therapeutics to ameliorate the invariably devastating outcomes of human filoviral infections.
Paragas
Jason
J
Virology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA. jason.paragas@amedd.army.mil
Geisbert
Thomas W
TW
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008379:Marburg Virus Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D029024:Marburgvirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000187:drug effects; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents