Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever (VHF) is regarded as the most lethal of the viral fever infections with a potential case fatality rate of around 30%. This points to the necessity of effective vaccines and drugs to respond to VHF. Through rigorous preclinical research and development services, our company is committed to providing effective solutions in the fight against VHF.
Overview of Venezuelan Hemorrhagic Fever
Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever disease (VHF) is caused by the Guanarito virus (GTOV) which belongs to the Arenaviridae family. The death rate associated with all types of hemorrhagic fevers is shocking and staggering, however, VHF is reported to be the most severe. This particular virus tends to be maintained in nature via rodents, specifically short-tailed cane mice (Zygodontomys brevicauda), which act as the main channel of transmission. The infection in humans arises from the contact with the infected excreta of rodents through latency leading to the fever, hemorrhagic manifestations, leukopenia, along with thrombocytopenia. The illness can develop to Internal bleeding along with multi-organ failure, mortality marks between twenty to thirty per cent.
Fig.1 Areas where Guanarito virus is endemic. (Sharma A., et al., 2019)
Vaccine Development for Venezuelan Hemorrhagic Fever
DNA Vaccines
VHF vaccines are developed using DNA vaccines technology. The process includes injection of plasmids that code for viral antigens in order to create an immune response. Some studies have shown that neutralizing antibodies are produced in larger quantities in rabbits vaccinated with GTOV DNA glycoprotein precursors plasmids. Immunized guinea pigs are protected from lethal GTOV challenges. DNA vaccines have the potential to protect against VHF.
Multivalent Vaccines
A multivalent vaccine that targets several arenaviruses, including GTOV, is also under development. Researchers have developed plasmids that encode various glycoproteins which will elicit neutralizing antibody responses against all of the targeted arenaviruses. This approach may culminate in a universal vaccine for different kinds of hemorrhagic fever viruses.
Therapeutics Development for Venezuelan Hemorrhagic Fever
- Antiviral Therapies
The antiviral medication ribavirin is the mainstay for Venezuelan Hemorrhagic fever (VHF) treatment and has been proven to be effective against some arenaviruses, including GTOV. The drug works by stopping synthesis of viral RNA. The major setback of Ribavirin is that the drug is most effective when combined with intervention medicine. There are other antiviral agents like favipiravir which are currently undergoing some explorations. Favipiravir is effective against a wide range of RNA viruses and research is being done to prove its claim against VHF.
- Immunotherapeutics
Neutralizing antibodies being studied as immunotherapeutics is a very vibrant area of research. Treatment of VHF with convalescent-phase neutralizing antibody depleted plasma has led to significant declines in case fatalities. The development of antibody cocktails to combat several arenaviruses simultaneously is intriguing since guinea pigs were able to survive lethal exposure to GTOV and other arenaviruses.
Our Services
Our services include thorough research on the VHF vaccine and drill deeper into various aspects of preclinical testing into the development testing and construct further development programs. As we have advanced laboratory facilities and BSL- 4 containment units, we are able to conduct comprehensive VHF studies safely ensuring the efficiency of our vaccine and therapy candidates.
Disease Models
- Guanarito Virus Infection Guinea Pig Models (Strain 13 and Hartley)
- GTOV Infection Rhesus Macaque Models
- GTOV Infection Marmoset Models
- GTOV Infection African Green Monkey Models
Preclinical Research
- Pharmacodynamics Study Services
- Pharmacokinetics Study Services
- Drug Safety Evaluation Services
- Customized Research Services
For VHF therapeutics, our services extend to the identification and validation of drug targets, the evaluation of drug efficacy, and the optimization of drug delivery strategies. We provide expertise in the development of both small molecule antivirals and immunotherapeutics. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Sharma, Anuj, and Barbara Knollmann-Ritschel. "Current understanding of the molecular basis of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus pathogenesis and vaccine development." Viruses 11.2 (2019): 164.
- Risner, Kenneth, et al. "Efficacy of FDA-approved anti-inflammatory drugs against Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus infection." Viruses 11.12 (2019): 1151.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
