Ross River virus: molecular and cellular aspects of disease pathogenesis

Pharmacol Ther. 2005 Sep;107(3):329-42. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2005.03.006.

Abstract

Ross River virus (RRV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus indigenous to Australia and the Western Pacific region and is responsible for several thousand cases of human RRV disease (RRVD) per annum. The disease primarily involves polyarthritis/arthralgia, with many patients also presenting with rash, myalgia, fever, and/or lethargy. The symptoms can be debilitating at onset, but they usually resolve within 3-6 months. Recent insights into the RRV-host relationship, associated pathology, and molecular biology of infection have generated a number of potential avenues for improved treatment. Although vaccine development has been proposed, the small market size and potential for antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of disease make this approach unattractive. Recent insights into the molecular basis of RRV-ADE and the virus's ability to manipulate host inflammatory and immune responses create potential new opportunities for therapeutic invention. Such interventions should overcome virus-induced dysregulation of protective host responses to promote viral clearance and/or ameliorate inflammatory immunopathology.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alphavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Alphavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Alphavirus Infections / immunology
  • Alphavirus Infections / physiopathology*
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Inflammation
  • Macrophages
  • Mice
  • Pacific Islands / epidemiology
  • Ross River virus / pathogenicity*
  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Viral Load
  • Viral Vaccines

Substances

  • Viral Vaccines