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Stelitano D, La Frazia S, Ambrosino A, Zannella C, Tay D, Iovane V, Montagnaro S, De Filippis A, Santoro MG, Porotto M, Galdiero M. Antiviral activity of nitazoxanide against Morbillivirus infections. J Virus Erad 2023; 9:100353. [PMID: 38028567 PMCID: PMC10679774 DOI: 10.1016/j.jve.2023.100353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The measles virus (MeV) and canine distemper virus (CDV) belong to the genus Morbillivirus of the Paramyxoviridae family. They are enveloped viruses harboring a non-segmented negative-sense RNA. Morbilliviruses are extremely contagious and transmitted through infectious aerosol droplets. Both MeV and CDV may cause respiratory infections and fatal encephalitis, although a high incidence of brain infections is unique to CDV. Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine against these viruses, in recent years we are witnessing a strong resurgence of Morbillivirus infection. Measles still kills more than 100,000 people each year, and CDV causes widespread outbreaks, especially among wild animals, including non-human primates. No drugs are currently approved for MeV and CDV. Therefore, the identification of effective antiviral agents represents an unmet medical need. Here, we have investigated the potential antiviral properties of nitazoxanide (NTZ) against MeV and CDV. Antiviral activity was explored with live virus and cell-based assays. NTZ is a thiazolide that is approved by the FDA as an antiprotozoal agent for the treatment of Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium parvum. Further, nitazoxanide and its metabolite tizoxanide have recently emerged as broad-spectrum antiviral agents. We found that NTZ blocks the MeV and CDV replication, acting at the post-entry level. Moreover, we showed that NTZ affects the function of the viral fusion protein (F), impairing viral spread. Our results indicate that NTZ should be further explored as a therapeutic option in measles and canine distemper virus treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Stelitano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host–Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
| | - Simone La Frazia
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Ambrosino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Zannella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniel Tay
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host–Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valentina Iovane
- Department of Agriculture Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Università, 100-Portici, 80055, Naples, Italy
| | - Serena Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, via Federico Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna De Filippis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Santoro
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Porotto
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host–Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th st, 10032, New York, NY, USA
| | - Massimiliano Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
- Virology and Microbiology Unit, University Hospital “Luigi Vanvitelli”, via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138, Naples, Italy
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