Exotic emerging viral diseases: Progress and challenges

Thomas W. Geisbert, Peter B. Jahrling

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

363 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)S110-S121
JournalNature Medicine
Volume10
Issue number12S
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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