The recent outbreak of Marburg virus (MARV) in Rwanda underscores the need for effective countermeasures against this highly fatal pathogen, with case fatality rates reaching 90%. Currently, no vaccines or approved treatments exist for MARV infection, distinguishing it from related viruses like Ebola. Our research demonstrates that the oral drug obeldesivir (ODV), a nucleoside analog prodrug, shows promising antiviral activity against filoviruses in vitro and offers significant protection in animal models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEilat (EILV)/chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an insect-based chimeric alphavirus was previously reported to protect mice months after a single dose vaccination. The underlying mechanisms of host protection are not clearly defined. Here, we assessed the capacity of EILV/CHIKV to induce quick and durable protection in cynomolgus macaques.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMarburg virus (MARV) has caused sporadic outbreaks of severe hemorrhagic fever in Africa in humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs) and has the potential to be used as a biological weapon. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or therapeutics to respond to outbreaks or deliberate misuse. Vaccine and therapeutic efficacy testing against MARV requires animal models that accurately mimic human disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVarious animal models have been established to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV), and to develop medical countermeasures (MCMs) against them. Of these models, which range from rodents to nonhuman primates (NHPs), the macaque model most closely mimics the severe disease displayed in humans. Nevertheless, rodent models mirror many key aspects of human infection and are frequently used for the initial assessment of experimental vaccines and treatments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Due to their faithful recapitulation of human disease, nonhuman primates (NHPs) are considered the gold standard for evaluating drugs against Ebolavirus and other filoviruses. The long-term goal is to reduce the reliance on NHPs with more ethical alternatives. simulations and organoid models have the potential to revolutionize drug testing by providing accurate, human-based systems that mimic disease processes and drug responses without the ethical concerns associated with animal testing.
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