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Exotic emerging viral diseases: progress and challenges

Nature Medicine volume 10, pages S110–S121 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

The agents causing viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) are a taxonomically diverse group of viruses that may share commonalities in the process whereby they produce systemic and frequently fatal disease. Significant progress has been made in understanding the biology of the Ebola virus, one of the best known examples. This knowledge has guided our thinking about other VHF agents, including Marburg, Lassa, the South American arenaviruses, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo and Rift Valley fever viruses. Comparisons among VHFs show that a common pathogenic feature is their ability to disable the host immune response by attacking and manipulating the cells that initiate the antiviral response. Of equal importance, these comparisons highlight critical gaps in our knowledge of these pathogens.

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Figure 1: Transmission electron micrographs of negatively stained hemorrhagic fever virus particles.
Figure 2: Model of VHF pathogenesis in primates.

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  1. Virology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, 21702-5011, Maryland, USA

    Thomas W Geisbert

  2. Headquarters, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, 21702-5011, Maryland, USA

    Peter B Jahrling

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Geisbert, T., Jahrling, P. Exotic emerging viral diseases: progress and challenges. Nat Med 10 (Suppl 12), S110–S121 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1142

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