Off Label Antiviral Therapeutics for Henipaviruses

Image

A study on the prevalence of common intestinal parasitic diseases with a high carriage rate within the global population in Senegal was conducted among HIV-infected persons. A systematic parasitological stool test from 150 patients HIV infected showed a low carriage rate10.6% (16/150). The following parasites were isolated: Entamoeba coli 4% (6/150), Ascaris lumbricoides 2.6% (4/150) and Trichuris trichiura 1.3% (2/150). The 31-50 age group was the most affected one. The carriage rate stood at 93.3% among patients with a CD4 T-cell rate <500/ mm3, without any significant difference compared to intestinal parasite negative patients.

In tropical areas, one of the most prominent features of HIV infection is its frequent association with opportunistic or not often parasitical infectious diseases. It should be noted that these co-infection can have an influence in the intensity of HIV infection in particular in viral load and CD4 T-cell rate. However, few studies have been conducted so far in on the common (non opportunistic) intestinal parasitic diseases-HIV in West Africa. We deemed it interesting to explore the relationship between HIV infection whose prevalence stands at 0.7% (CNLS, 2007) and the most widespread intestinal parasitic diseases in Senegal (Ascariasis, Giardiasis, Trichocephalosis, Amebiasis etc…) (Ndir et al., 2002), especially their potential effect in the infection intensity objectified by the CD4 T-cell rate.

The Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals (JAA) paves the way to discovery and development of antiviral drugs, compounds, and clinical methods to prevent viral infections. Importantly, JAA provides the opportunity to inform researchers, clinicians, and others working in the field of antiviral drugs and therapies.

JAA is an internationally recognized journal for scientists involved in basic, applied, and clinical aspects of antiviral and antiretroviral research. It is known that many viruses emerge and re-emerge threatening both animal and human populations. Zoonotic viruses can cause extensive morbidity and mortality; however, preventive vaccines that provide protection are available for only a limited number of viruses.

The primary current therapeutic approach against viral diseases is to target viral components that are essential for replication. There are a number of disadvantages targeting viral components including the limited number of druggable viral targets because viruses have a small genome, as well as the rapid development of drug resistance. New drug therapies combine antivirals to increase efficacy and to avoid the development of drug resistant strains. These strategies are effective for viruses such as HIV, but clearly there is a need to expand our drug arsenal to address the wide diversity of viruses. This pathway relies on alternative strategies for drug discovery, such as examining the virus-host interface. 

Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals is using Editorial Manager System for quality in review process. Editorial Manager is an online manuscript submission, review and tracking systems used by most of the best open access journals. Review processing is performed by the editorial board members of journal or outside experts; at least two independent reviewers approval followed by editor's approval is required for acceptance of any citable manuscript.

Send your manuscript at www.longdom.org/submissions/antivirals-antiretrovirals.html or as an e-mail attachment to our Editorial Office at antivirals@eclinicalsci.com

Regards
Robert Har