Progress towards the treatment of Ebola haemorrhagic fever.
Being highly pathogenic for human and nonhuman primates and the subject of former weapon programmes makes Ebola virus one of the most feared pathogens worldwide today. Due to a lack of licensed pre- and postexposure intervention, the current response depends on rapid diagnostics, proper isolation procedures and supportive care of case patients. Consequently, the development of more specific countermeasures is of high priority for the preparedness of many nations. Over the past years, enhanced research efforts directed to better understand virus replication and pathogenesis have identified potential new targets for intervention strategies. The authors discuss the most promising therapeutic approaches for Ebola haemorrhagic fever as judged by their efficacy in animal models. The current development in this field encourages discussions on how to move some of the experimental approaches towards clinical application.
Ströher
Ute
U
National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E3R2, Canada. Ute_Stroeher@phac-aspc.gc.ca
Feldmann
Heinz
H
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D046129:Ebola Vaccines; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D011323:Primates; D012377:Rodentia; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D046129:Ebola Vaccines; D007106:Immune Sera; D014764:Viral Proteins