Treatment Of Viral Diseases Research Articles

CRISPR-Cas system: from diagnostic tool to potential antiviral treatment.

This mini review focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of virus diseases using Crisper-Cas technology. The present paper describes various strategies involved in diagnosing diseases using Crispr-Cas-based assays. Additionally, CRISPR-Cas systems offer great potential as new therapeutic tools for treating viral infections including HIV, Influenza, and SARS-CoV-2. There are several major challenges to be overcome before this technology can be applied routinely in clinical settings, such as finding a suitable delivery tool, toxicity, and immunogenicity, as well as off-target effects. This review also discusses ways to deal with the challenges associated with Crisper-Cas technology.Key points• Crisper technology is being applied to diagnose infectious and non-infectious diseases.• A new generation of CRISPR-Cas-based assays has been developed which detect pathogens within minutes, providing rapid diagnosis of diseases.• Crispr-Cas tools can be used to combat viral infections, specifically HIV, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2.

Identification of New Chickpea Virus and Control of Chickpea Virus Disease

Objective The objective of the study was to discuss the classification, virus characteristics, detection methods, and control measures of chickpea virus, with an aim to provide a theoretical basis for identification of new chickpea virus and control of chickpea virus disease. Methods The domestic and foreign studies were reviewed, and the virus coat protein or nucleic acid sequence was identified by immunological and molecular diagnostic techniques. Results There were 14 main types of chickpea viruses attacking, and seven Luteoviridae viruses were reported, namely, chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV), bean leafroll virus (BLRV), beet western yellows virus (BWYV), soybean dwarf virus (SbDV), cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV), cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV), and phasey bean mild yellows virus (PhBMYV). The family Geminiviridae includes chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus (CpCDV), chickpea chlorosis virus (CpCV), chickpea redleaf virus (CpRLV), chickpea yellows virus (CpYV), and mastrevirus. The family Nanoviridae is dominated by the faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV). The family Bromoviridae includes cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV). Conclusion At present, there are mainly 12 types of viruses infecting chickpeas, which are transmitted by leafhoppers or aphids and are associated with symptoms such as yellowing, chlorosis, and stunted pod development, resulting in serious yield loss. Correct use of various molecular diagnostic tools to detect and identify chickpea virus can accurately assess chickpea virus infection and provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of chickpea virus disease.

Management of severe Covid-19 cases through Ayurveda: A Case series

The rampant destruction due to COVID is going on. So far, in modern medical system, there is no proven cure for COVID-19. The only relevant literature on the treatment of corona virus disease comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM , which is widely used to control epidemics in China, is also composed of kinds of herbs similar to Ayurveda. There is reportedly a high death rate from severe COVID-19 infection requiring oxygen support. The chest severity score as assessed by computed tomography has predictive value for future outcomes in such situations. This paper is an observational (retrospective) study of COVID-19 condition of three patient receiving Ayurvedic treatment entirely without use of any allopathic drug. There is this case series of 3 patients, 32 years old male, 38 years old female and 70 years old female. These cases were managed on the principle of Sannipatika Jwar (type of fever) along with Shwas (type of respiratory illness) with administration of Hirak bhasma, Trailokya chintamani ras, Maha lakshmi vilas ras, Abhrak bhasma, Shwaskas chintamani ras, Praval pishti, Chandramrita ras, Sitopladi churna, Mahalaxmivilas ras, Sameerpannag ras, Tab Shwas kalpa and Syp Whooping for about 10 days in different combination in these patients. The treatment resulted in complete remission of almost all the signs and symptoms. The cases were followed up after next 15 days and there were no remnant symptoms. The cases also advocated for an early Ayurvedic intervention institution for COVID-19 in prevention, deterioration and complications.

Adherence with the standard treatment regimen for the treatment of COVID-19 patients in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University

The present study was conducted to evaluate the adherence to standard treatment regimen in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for the treatment of corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19) patients. The study assessed the awareness of prescribers, adherence to treatment guidelines and reasons for non-adherence. A questionnaire survey was conducted followed by a retrospective and prospective medical review and in-depth interview. The study revealed that 79.9% of key prescribers are aware of treatment guidelines. Adherence was 28.4% in moderate cases and 53.3% in severe cases and difference was highly statistically significant (p<0.001). Adherence in moderate cases was highest in patients with hypertension (43.3%) and lowest in bronchial asthma (16.6%). Adherence in severe cases was highest with diabetes (80%) and lowest in bronchial asthma (20 %). In COVID-19 patients, the adherence was highest with International Guideline (96%), followed by institutional Guideline (74.6%) and National Guideline (23.5%). There is significant variation in extent of adherence in different age group of patients, co-morbidities and categories of guidelines. BSMMU J 2021; 14 (COVID -19 Supplement): 13-18

Candidates for Treatment of Novel Corona virus disease, COVID-19: Current Scenario and Way Forwards

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has spread across the globe resulting in a pandemic affecting 215 countries. At the time of this review, COVID-19 has been diagnosed in more than 15,000,000 patients and associated with over 1,00,000 deaths globally (Canters for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization). In this review, we herein summarize the current evidence as on June 15, 2020 to provide guidance on potential drugs for COVID-19 treatment or prophylaxis, their scientific rationale and their clinical efficacy and safety. New data continue to emerges daily regarding clinical characteristics, treatment options, and outcomes for COVID-19. Optimized supportive care remains the mainstay of therapy, and the clinical efficacy for the potential therapeutic agents is still under investigation.

Chloroquine-induced Prolonged QT Interval in COVID-19 Patients in Indonesia: Case Series

The treatment of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19)remains in debate, and the use of chloroquine has not been validated by accurate clinical trials.The aim of this study was to provide the possible cardiotoxicity effect of chloroquine in patients with COVID-19. This study was a case-series of prolonged QT interval of COVID-19 patients treated with chloroquine in a hospital in Bali, Indonesia. There were two cases of COVID-19 with exhibited a prolonged QT interval after being administrated of chloroquine. The prolonged QT interval returned to normal after chloroquine was stopped.These cases alert us the cardiotoxicity effect of chloroquine and the need for serial electro-cardiography monitoring before and during therapy. In conclusion, although antiviral and anti-inflammation properties of chloroquine on COVID-19 are promising, its cardiotoxicity effects should be monitored closely for less harm to the patients.

Binding Mode Prediction and Identification of New Lead Compounds from Natural Products as 3-OST Enzyme Inhibitors

Background and Introduction: The availability of antiviral medicines for the treatment of viral diseases is limited, hence the discovery of novel bioactive molecules is required. The present investigation has been carried out to develop novel 3-O-sulfotransferase enzyme inhibitors to treat viral diseases. Method: Virtual screening study (QSAR, docking and pharmacophore analysis) and binding mode analysis have been performed on a dataset collected from the literature (synthetic and natural compounds). Results: The docking studies showed that Glu184, His186, Lys215 and Lys368 residues established the most important hydrogen bonding with several hit compounds. The QSAR results explained that the presence of electronegative atoms/groups in the aromatic or heteroaromatic rings confer increased activity. Furthermore, the flexibility and the aromatic rings with less polar groups have better activity than the compounds connected to purine rings. Finally, the structurebased pharmacophore studies illustrated that the ligand has many polar interaction sites, and the projected acceptor and donor groups in the molecules make a significant contribution to the pharmacophore model building. Conclusion: These studies identified two compounds, Phomoidride B and Barceloneic acid A, as potential 3-OST inhibitors.

Phytochemical Profiles and their Anti-inflammatory Responses Against Influenza from Traditional Chinese Medicine or Herbs.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or herbs are widely used in the prevention and treatment of viral infectious diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms of TCMs remain largely obscure due to complicated material basis and multi-target therapeutics. TCMs have been reported to display anti-influenza activity associated with immunoregulatory mechanisms by enhancing host antiinfluenza immune responses. Previous studies have helped us understand the direct harm caused by the virus itself. In this review, we have tried to summarize recent progress in TCM-based anti-influenza research on the indirect harmful immune responses caused by influenza viruses. In particular, the phytochemicals from TCMs responsible for molecular mechanisms of action belonging to different classes, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids and polysaccharides, have been identified and demonstrated. In addition, this review focuses on the pharmacological mechanism, e.g., inflammatory responses and the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway, which can provide a theoretical basis and approaches for TCM based anti-influenza treatment.

Human virus detection with graphene-based materials

Our recent experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of easy-to-use, quick, cheap, sensitive and selective detection of virus pathogens for the efficient monitoring and treatment of virus diseases. Early detection of viruses provides essential information about possible efficient and targeted treatments, prolongs the therapeutic window and hence reduces morbidity. Graphene is a lightweight, chemically stable and conductive material that can be successfully utilized for the detection of various virus strains. The sensitivity and selectivity of graphene can be enhanced by its functionalization or combination with other materials. Introducing suitable functional groups and/or counterparts in the hybrid structure enables tuning of the optical and electrical properties, which is particularly attractive for rapid and easy-to-use virus detection. In this review, we cover all the different types of graphene-based sensors available for virus detection, including, e.g., photoluminescence and colorimetric sensors, and surface plasmon resonance biosensors. Various strategies of electrochemical detection of viruses based on, e.g., DNA hybridization or antigen-antibody interactions, are also discussed. We summarize the current state-of-the-art applications of graphene-based systems for sensing a variety of viruses, e.g., SARS-CoV-2, influenza, dengue fever, hepatitis C virus, HIV, rotavirus and Zika virus. General principles, mechanisms of action, advantages and drawbacks are presented to provide useful information for the further development and construction of advanced virus biosensors. We highlight that the unique and tunable physicochemical properties of graphene-based nanomaterials make them ideal candidates for engineering and miniaturization of biosensors.

Ethical considerations in the conduct of research on therapies for the prevention and treatment of Ebola virus disease in developing countries.

The devastating toll of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa necessitates considerations of new approaches to research into new prevention technologies and treatments for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Research must be planned and delivered in consultation with civil society from the epicentre to prevent mistrust and misunderstanding. Ethical considerations include development of local research and regulatory capacity; negotiating the standard of prevention packages for research participants, including healthcare workers; and strengthening health systems in developing countries to ensure effective response to future EVD outbreaks in the region. Also, strategic consultation with local communities is an ethical imperative for EVD research, particularly where there is potential for differential access to prevention and care packages between trial staff and local hospital staff.

Five cases report of Ebola virus disease

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of Ebola virus disease so as to provide early clinical recognition and treatment for this disease. Methods The clinical manifestations and treatment of 5 cases of Ebola virus disease in Ebola Holding Center of Sierra-Leone China Friendship Hospital from 15 March 2015 to 15 May 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. And the clinical characteristics and possible effective treatment were discussed combined with related literature. Results Five patients were diagnosed with Ebola virus disease by polymerase chain reaction and 4 cases of 5 patients had confirmed contact history, while 1 case had no clear contact history.All the 5 cases presented with low fever, headache and joint pain. Three cases then progressed into severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and hypovolemic shock. The patients presented with fast heart rate and shortness of breath and other inflammatory response syndrome in acute phase. One patient rapidly progressed to liver pain, jaundice and anuria, then died. Three severe cases recovered after treated with fluid resuscitation, circulation maintenance and electrolyte balance in acute phase. Conclusions The early symptoms of Ebola virus disease are low fever, joint pain and nausea.Frequent vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure and electrolyte disorder indicate severe conditions. Shock and electrolyte disorder are deadly complications. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment are the key to improve the prognosis. Key words: Ebolavirus; Hemorrhagic fever, Ebola; Shock; Water-electrolyte imbalance; Fluid therapy

Investigational Treatment of Severe Ebola Virus Disease

Intensive treatment and monitoring of patients with severe Ebola virus disease in specialized units in Europe and the U.S. has yielded insights into the disease course and potential interventions. Now, investigators have described the care of an Ebola virus–infected 38-year-old male physician evacuated from Sierra Leone to Frankfurt, Germany. After onset of symptoms, the patient self-treated with amiodarone and received oral rehydration solution; on day 6 …

Systems pharmacology uncovers Janus functions of botanical drugs: activation of host defense system and inhibition of influenza virus replication

Given the imminent threat of influenza pandemics and continuing emergence of new drug-resistant influenza virus strains, novel strategies for preventing and treating influenza disease are urgently needed. Herbal medicine, used for thousands of years in combinational therapies (Herb Formula), plays a significant role in stimulating the host immune system in vivo, and meanwhile, in fighting against the pandemic by directly inhibiting influenza virus in vitro. Such potential Janus functions may spark interest in therapeutic manipulation of virus diseases. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanism of the Janus functions of the medicinal herbs in the treatment of influenza remains unclear. In this work, to illustrate the therapeutic concept of Janus functions in the treatment of influenza, we have introduced a novel systems pharmacology model that integrates pharmacokinetic screening, targeting and network analysis of two representative herbs Lonicera japonica and Fructus Forsythiae that are efficient in the treatment of influenza, inflammation and other diseases. 50 Chemicals with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles have been identified for the two herbs, and the ligand–target network was constructed by complementing the literature-based experimental data deposited in DrugBank. The annotation of these chemicals was assigned using a novel drug targeting approach, and mapped to target–disease and drug–target–pathway networks. The overall data suggest that the medicinal herbs function by indirectly suppressing the virus proliferation via regulating the immune systems in hosts, and also, by directly inhibiting virus proliferation through targeting viral proteins essential for the viral life cycle. For the first time, we have demonstrated the mechanism of medicinal herbs in prevention and treatment of virus diseases via the Janus functions on a systematic level.

International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses and the new journal

As acting Chairman of the International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses (ISIRV), I am delighted that Blackwell has undertaken to publish this new journal dedicated to the field of Influenza and other respiratory viruses. This is not only because Blackwell is an established international publisher of long and wide experience but because the subject matter of the journal is of such major importance to public health. I am also very pleased to announce that Alan Hampson has accepted the role of Editor of the Journal. Alan has had a long and distinguished career in the field of influenza and public health and is highly experienced in international collaboration regarding respiratory virology. He will be well supported by a strong editorial team with an impressive international flavour and a broad range of expertise at its fingertips. ISIRV wishes Blackwell, the journal and Alan Hampson and the editorial team, great success in this important new venture. In planning the new journal it has been agreed that ISIRV and Blackwell will work together closely to ensure that the journal meets our aspirations in relation to its high quality; relevance of its contents to the professional readership and international availability. International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses is an independent, scientific professional society, established in 2005, whose mission is dedicated to promoting the prevention, detection, treatment of influenza and other respiratory virus infections and diseases and providing a strong advocacy for research. The field of influenza and respiratory viruses is an aspect of public health of major international importance and impact. In the past 100 years pandemic influenza has struck several times, the pandemic of 1918 having had a huge impact causing some 30–50 million deaths worldwide. Recent epidemiological events including evidence of transmission of highly virulent influenza A (H5N1) viruses from poultry to man in several countries and a panzootic of infection with this virus in domestic poultry and wild birds have resulted in high levels of concern about the prospects for a future pandemic, triggered national and international pandemic preparedness programmes and emphasized an urgent need for increased international collaboration. But influenza is not the only virus of public health importance. The outbreak of SARS coronavirus was totally unexpected and associated with high mortality among those infected and caused considerable social and economic disruption. Other respiratory viruses such as the pneumoviruses, including respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus and rhinoviruses are of medical and clinical significance. The area of veterinary and animal virology should not be overlooked. We are increasingly aware of animal and avian sources of infection, for example in relation to influenza and SARS, and the field of zoonosis and veterinary virology is becoming greatly important. In particular, monitoring and control of virulent influenza in bird populations and surveillance of potentially zoonotic viruses in animal species are of growing relevance to public health. ISIRV will provide a major forum for the exchange of information and an advocate for research and public health measures in relation to respiratory viruses. We will promote professional training and education and develop partnerships with governments, international agencies such as World Health Organization, OIE and others. We are also keen to develop collaboration with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. International Society for Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses is the first international, professional scientific body dedicated to these activities and the new journal is seen by the society as making a key contribution to its mission and to respiratory virology in general. We intend that the journal will provide for an up‐to‐date communication of scientific information and comments relevant to the large number of scientists, clinicians and veterinarians in academia, public health authorities and government agencies and those in industries. It will publish up‐to‐date reports on research, science and technology, current epidemiological events and progress in diagnostic, treatment and preventive measures including vaccinology and antiviral drugs. A particular value of the journal and consistent with the publisher's strategy is that it will provide the reader with a broad cross‐disciplinary insight into developments in the field as befits the needs of professions to be generally well informed. As part of ISIRVs agreement with Blackwell we are particularly pleased that the journal will be available free of charge to the registered and paid‐up members of ISIRV and will also publish information on ISIRV meetings and other international activities. ISIRV and Blackwell look forward to welcoming you to the readership of the new Journal.

Role of the National Cancer Institute in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related drug discovery.

The primary role of the Developmental Therapeutics Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is to facilitate drug discovery by the extramural cancer and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) research communities. This role is accomplished in a variety of ways through grants programs, web-based informatics, provision of chemicals and natural product extracts, and screening services that will be described briefly in this article. Recently, the NCI has begun efforts to bring together molecular-targeted, high-throughput screening and extramural sites with chemical libraries of interest. This new initiative is designed to match emerging molecular targets and high-throughput assay technology with novel sources of chemical diversity in the extramural community. Shortly after recognition of the AIDS epidemic, the Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP) of the NCI was charged with developing a drug-screening program that might give rise to the discovery of novel therapeutics for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. Beginning in 1987 and continuing through 1997, a functional screen for primary antiviral treatments with the use of a cell-based assay system was in place. Details of the colorimetric-assay methodology and screening strategy have been published (1,2). This screening program supported discovery of numerous lead compounds, from both natural and synthetic sources, many of which were subsequently demonstrated to be nucleoside and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. A substantial number of novel natural product agents with anti-HIV activity have been isolated, including cyanovirin, a novel gp120-binding protein derived from a cultured blue-green alga (3). Detailed information on these molecules may be found on the DTP web site (http://dtp.nci.nih. gov), which is described below in detail. Several novel molecules identified by the screen, or derivatives of screening leads, have been developed to the point of clinical trials. The nucleoside analog 3TC was submitted to the screen as a racemic mixture by IAF Biochem International, Inc. (Ville de Laval, Quebec), a Canadian pharmaceutical company, and subsequently licensed to Glaxo-Wellcome (Research Triangle Park, NC) for clinical development. This drug and Ziagen, a prodrug form of carbovir (4) also licensed by GlaxoWellcome, have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of HIV disease. PROGRAM REVIEWS

The eleventh international conference on AIDS: cautious celebration in Vancouver.

For the first time in the short but turbulent history of the International Conference on AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), participants found themselves in the midst of a sea change in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. Scientists, health policy experts, politicians, and AIDS activists alike shared the anticipation. Report after report heralded improved outcomes in patients receiving combination therapy rather than monotherapy with reverse transcriptase inhibitors, particularly when investigators combined these agents with newly available protease inhibitors. The drug combinations dramatically reduced viral load in plasma, in some cases to undetectable levels, resulting in sharp rebounds in immune function. Even more encouraging is the pipeline for new and possibly more effective strategies. The cost of the new therapy for HIV disease, however, will limit the benefit to no more than 10% of the world's population infected with the virus.

THE ANTI-VIRAL ACTION OF RUTILANTIN A.

Rutilantin A has been tested for antiviral activity in vitro. This antibiotic had no demonstrable effect on the growth of poliomyelitis or influenza viruses, but it completely inhibited the multiplication of rabbitpox virus. It was effective against rabbitpox virus when added to tissue-cell cultures as late as 4 hr after infection. The lowest concentration of rutilantin that prevented the formation of infective rabbitpox virus didnot apparently affect the synthesis of viral DNA or soluble antigens. It is concluded that rutilantin inhibits a late stage of virus development. The toxicity of rutilantin for both cultured tissue cells and animals makes it unlikely to be of value in the treatment of virus disease.

ANTIBIOTICS in virus diseases.

he threat of widespread virus disease in the form of Asian influenza makes it highly desirable to clarify thinking on the treatment of virus diseases. The Council on Drugs has prepared a statment, which appears elsewhere in this issue ofThe Journal, page 58, explaining the limitations of antibiotics in influenza and pointing out that their use in the primary treatment of this disease would be contrary to good medical practice. The principles involved, however, also apply to other virus diseases. Evidence that thinking on the treatment of virus diseases has been confused can easily be gathered from conversations in public places, where it is not unusual to hear a person say, "I have a virus cold, and my doctor is giving me penicillin." There is also evidence to indicate that the misuse of antibiotics is not limited to the United States. Hennessen in Düsseldorf¹reports that "the use

AUREOMYCIN IN TREATMENT OF VIRUS DISEASES

To the Editor: —In the April issue of theArchives, under Correspondence, there was published a letter on in the Treatment of Virus Diseases, by George A. Sheehan Jr., M.D. Dr. Sheehan reported the local use of aureomycin in a case of of supposed Newcastle disease. Aureomycin is undoubtedly a beneficial therapeutic agent in the treatment of virus diseases. However, in January 1950, I had under my care a proved case of Newcastle's conjunctivitis which occurred in a virologist. My associates and I were able to demonstrate inclusion bodies within the epithelial cells both before and after the administration of aureomycin drops, and we found that the drug in no way altered the course of the disease, the presence of which, I repeat, was verified in this case by virologic studies. The inclusion bodies were demonstrable in scrapings, but not in smears, of the conjunctiva, and the disease

Immune Serum in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Virus Diseases

Immune Serum in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Virus Diseases