Development of antiviral agents for enteroviruses

J Antimicrob Chemother. 2008 Dec;62(6):1169-73. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkn424. Epub 2008 Oct 18.

Abstract

Enteroviruses (EVs) are common human pathogens that are associated with numerous disease symptoms in many organ systems of the body. Although EV infections commonly cause mild or non-symptomatic illness, some of them are associated with severe diseases such as CNS complications. The current absence of effective vaccines for most viral infection and no available antiviral drugs for the treatment of EVs highlight the urgency and significance of developing antiviral agents. Several key steps in the viral life cycle are potential targets for blocking viral replication. This article reviews recent studies of antiviral developments for EVs based on various molecular targets that interrupt viral attachment, viral translation, polyprotein processing and RNA replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Enterovirus / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Virus Attachment / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents