title: Antiviral Strategies Against Chikungunya Virus.
abstract: In the last few decades the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has evolved from a geographically isolated pathogen to a virus that is widespread in many parts of Africa, Asia and recently also in Central- and South-America. Although CHIKV infections are rarely fatal, the disease can evolve into a chronic stage, which is characterized by persisting polyarthralgia and joint stiffness. This chronic CHIKV infection can severely incapacitate patients for weeks up to several years after the initial infection. Despite the burden of CHIKV infections, no vaccine or antivirals are available yet. The current therapy is therefore only symptomatic and consists of the administration of analgesics, antipyretics, and anti-inflammatory agents. Recently several molecules with various viral or host targets have been identified as CHIKV inhibitors. In this chapter, we summarize the current status of the development of antiviral strategies against CHIKV infections.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10 blok x, 1030, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Rana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abdelnabi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10 blok x, 1030, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neyts
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10 blok x, 1030, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium. leen.delang@rega.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Leen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Delang
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065632:Chikungunya Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002646:Chikungunya virus / Q000187:drug effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D053586:Virus Internalization; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D014764:Viral Proteins
keywords: Antivirals; Arbidol; Chikungunya virus; Chloroquine; Favipiravir; Immune modulators; Ribavirin