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Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus
David W Hawman1, Heinz Feldmann2
1Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID/NIH, Hamilton, MT, USA. david.hawman@nih.gov.
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|March 15, 2023
Summary
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe tick-borne disease caused by CCHF virus. Recent advances in animal models offer hope for developing effective vaccines and antivirals to combat this dangerous illness.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe tick-borne viral illness with high fatality rates.
- CCHF affects populations across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, with expanding geographic range due to the Hyalomma tick vector.
- No licensed vaccines or specific antivirals are currently available for CCHF treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand the poorly understood host and viral determinants of CCHF virus (CCHFV) pathogenesis.
- To investigate the complex genomic organization of CCHFV and the functions of its proteins in disease.
- To explore the potential of new insights and therapeutics for CCHF treatment.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing improved animal models to gain insights into CCHFV pathogenesis.
- Investigating viral and host factors contributing to severe CCHF illness in humans.
- Evaluating the efficacy of novel antivirals and vaccines in preclinical models.
Main Results:
- Improved animal models have enhanced understanding of CCHFV pathogenesis.
- Several candidate antivirals and vaccines have demonstrated significant efficacy in preclinical studies.
- Subclinical CCHF infections may be more common than previously thought.
Conclusions:
- Recent advancements provide a foundation for developing effective CCHF countermeasures.
- Translating preclinical findings into clinical applications holds promise for reducing CCHF morbidity and mortality.
- Further research into CCHFV genomics and pathogenesis is crucial for improved disease management.
