West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Published: July 2021
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) are ubiquitously distributed with a seroprevalence ranging up to 95% in the adult population. Refractory viral infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) represent a major global health issue. In particular, the increasing occurrence of resistance to conventional antiviral drugs make the therapy of such infections even more challenging. For instance, the frequent and long-term use of acyclovir and other nucleoside analogues targeting the viral DNA-polymerase enhance the development of resistant viruses. Particularly, the incidental increase of those strains in immunocompromised patients is alarming and represent a major health concern. Alternative treatment concepts are clearly needed. Natural products such as herbal medicines showed antiherpetic activity in vitro and in vivo and proved to be an excellent source for the discovery and isolation of novel antivirals. By this means, numerous plant-derived compounds with antiviral or antimicrobial activity could be isolated. Natural medicines and their ingredients are well-tolerated and could be a good alternative for treating herpes simplex virus infections. This review provides an overview of the recent status of natural sources such as plants, bacteria, fungi, and their ingredients with antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses. Furthermore, we highlight the most potent herbal medicines and ingredients as promising candidates for clinical investigation and give an overview about the most important drug classes along with their potential antiviral mechanisms. The content of this review is based on articles that were published between 1996 and 2021.
The development of effective antivirals is of great importance due to the threat associated with the rapid spread of viral infections. The accumulation of data in scientific publications and in databases of biologically active compounds provides an opportunity to extract specific information about interactions between chemicals and their viral and host targets. This information can be used for elucidation of knowledge about potential antiviral activity of chemical compounds, their side effects and toxicities.
Placental trophoblasts constitute the interface between the fetal and maternal environments and physically prevent maternal-fetal viral transmission. However, congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in the early stages of pregnancy results in severe symptoms in the fetus. HCMV is the most common causative agent of intrauterine infection.
Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 box 1043, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
The widespread use of antivirals in immunocompromised individuals has led to frequent occurrences of drug-resistant herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infections. Current antivirals target the viral DNA polymerase (DP), resulting in cross-resistance patterns that emphasize the need for novel treatment strategies. In this study, we assessed whether combining antivirals with different targets affects drug resistance emergence by passaging wild-type HSV-1 under increasing concentrations of acyclovir (ACV), foscarnet (phosphonoformic acid, PFA), or the helicase-primase inhibitor pritelivir (PTV), individually or in combination (ACV + PTV or PFA + PTV).
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck malignant tumour with high incidence and poor prognosis. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has therapeutic effects on solid tumours. Microwave ablation (MWA) has unique advantages in the treatment of solid tumours.
Objectives: Present a clinically challenging case of an immunocompetent 74-year-old male who presented with marked dyspnea and hemoptysis. After the airway was secured, direct laryngoscopy revealed a large, fungating, hemorrhagic mass of the left lateral pharyngeal wall and surrounding structures.
