Filoviruses: One of These Things is (not) Like the Other

The family Filoviridae contains several of the most deadly pathogens known to date and the current Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in Western Africa, due to Ebola virus (EBOV) infection, highlights the need for active and broad research into filovirus pathogenesis. However, in comparison, the seven other known filovirus family members are significantly understudied. Many of these, including Marburgviruses and Ebolaviruses other than EBOV, are also highly virulent and fully capable of causing widespread epidemics. This review places the focus on these non-EBOV filoviruses, including known immunological and pathological data. The available animal models, research tools and currently available therapeutics will also be discussed along with an emphasis in the large number of current gaps in knowledge of these less highlighted filoviruses. It is evident that much research is yet to be done in order to bring the non-EBOV filovirus field to the forefront of current research and, importantly, to the development of more effective vaccines and therapeutics to combat potential future outbreaks.

Clinical management of filovirus-infected patients

Filovirus infection presents many unique challenges to patient management. Currently no approved treatments are available, and the recommendations for supportive care are not evidence based. The austere clinical settings in which patients often present and the sporadic and at times explosive nature of filovirus outbreaks have effectively limited the information available to evaluate potential management strategies. This review will summarize the management approaches used in filovirus outbreaks and provide recommendations for collecting the information necessary for evaluating and potentially improving patient outcomes in the future.

Dendritic cells in viral pathogenesis: protective or defective?

Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells that are critical in the initiation of immune responses to control and/or eliminate viral infections. Recent studies have investigated the effects of virus infection on the biology of DC. This review summarizes these changes, focusing on both the DC parameters affected and the viral factors involved. In addition, the central role of DC biology in the pathogenesis of several viral families, including herpesviruses, paramyxoviruses and retroviruses, is explored. The field of pathogen recognition by DC is addressed, focusing on its role in protecting the host from viral infection, as well as the ability of viruses to exploit such host receptor ligation and signalling to their replicative advantage. The hypothesis is proposed that virus and host have evolved a symbiotic relationship to ensure both viral transmission and host survival.