title: Immunotherapy of viral infections.
abstract: Among the microorganisms that cause diseases of medical or veterinary importance, the only group that is entirely dependent on the host, and hence not easily amenable to therapy via pharmaceuticals, is the viruses. Since viruses are obligate intracellular pathogens, and therefore depend a great deal on cellular processes, direct therapy of viral infections is difficult. Thus, modifying or targeting nonspecific or specific immune responses is an important aspect of intervention of ongoing viral infections. However, as a result of the unavailability of effective vaccines and the extended duration of manifestation, chronic viral infections are the most suitable for immunotherapies. We present an overview of various immunological strategies that have been applied for treating viral infections after exposure to the infectious agent.
authors.affiliation: Bharat Biotech Foundation, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Shameerpet Mandal, Hyderabad 500078, India. hegden@bharatbiotechfoundation.org
authors.forename: Nagendra R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Hegde
authors.forename: Pavuluri Panduranga
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Jagadeesh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bayry
authors.forename: Srinivas V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Kaveri
mesh_terms: D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D002450:Cell Communication; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015202:Protein Engineering; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007372:Interferons