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Related Concept Videos

Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors01:22

Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors

Antiviral Nucleoside InhibitorsAntiviral nucleoside inhibitors are structural analogs of natural nucleosides that interfere with viral DNA or RNA synthesis. These compounds selectively target viral polymerases due to their resemblance to host nucleosides, thereby disrupting viral genome replication.Mechanism of Acyclovir ActionAcyclovir is a guanosine analog with a three-carbon acyclic side chain. It selectively targets herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2),...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
Genital Herpes01:23

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
Herpes01:28

Herpes

Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV‑1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for orolabial lesions. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae. Once the virus infects a host cell, its double‑stranded DNA genome is delivered into the nucleus, where a coordinated cascade of immediate‑early, early, and late gene expression directs viral DNA replication, structural protein synthesis, and virion assembly. After primary infection of epithelial cells, HSV-1...
Subviral Agents01:29

Subviral Agents

Subviral agents are infectious entities that resemble viruses but lack one or more viral components, such as a capsid or essential replication machinery. These agents include viroids, prions, and satellites, each possessing distinct structural and functional characteristics that influence their mode of infection and replication.Viroids are the simplest subviral agents, consisting of circular, single-stranded RNA molecules without a protein coat. They exclusively infect plants, relying entirely...

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Acyclovir: a new use for an old drug.

Christophe Vanpouille1, Andrea Lisco, Leonid Margolis

  • 1Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|September 4, 2009
PubMed
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Acyclovir (ACV) therapy decreases human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) RNA levels, potentially through direct suppression of HIV-1 when activated by herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2). Further research is needed to explore ACV

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) fuel dual epidemics, with overlapping risk populations exacerbating the spread of both infections.
  • Acyclovir (ACV), an antiviral drug, has been investigated for its potential to reduce HIV-1 transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review controversial results of randomized controlled trials on acyclovir's efficacy in reducing HIV-1 spread.
  • To interpret these results in light of the recent discovery of acyclovir's direct suppression of HIV-1.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing epidemiological studies and randomized controlled trials.
  • Analysis of recent findings on acyclovir's effect on HIV-1 RNA levels and its mechanism of action.

Main Results:

  • Acyclovir therapy does not prevent HIV-1 transmission but decreases HIV-1 RNA levels in plasma, genital, rectal, and seminal fluids.
  • The decrease in HIV-1 load is partly explained by acyclovir's direct inhibitory activity on HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, particularly when activated by coinfecting HSV-2.

Conclusions:

  • The direct suppression of HIV-1 by acyclovir, activated by coinfecting HSV-2, may explain observed decreases in HIV load in clinical trials.
  • Further research is required to determine if acyclovir benefits HSV-2-negative patients and if it should be integrated into HIV-1 treatment regimens.
  • Development of acyclovir-based drugs targeting HIV-1 warrants investigation.