Methods for Inhibiting Ebola Virus Replication

National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases

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Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Ebola virus is a deadly disease with mortality rates of 40% to as high as 90% observed in outbreaks of the Ebola Zaire and Sudan species. Ebola has been categorized as a priority class A pathogen due to its virulence, ease of dissemination, lack of effective countermeasures to prevent or treat them, and their potential to cause public panic and social disruption (Dupuy & Schmaljohn, 2009). There are currently no consistent mechanisms for preventing or treating infection, and development of effective vaccines and/or drugs is a high priority. During the past year, the laboratory continued to test drugs that target tyrosine kinases and evaluating their effect on the Ebola virus. Data indicate that potent tyrosine kinase antagonists inhibit Ebola virus replication both in an in vitro egress and in vitro infection assays. The lab is currently conducting in vivo pharmacokinetic studies.