Human Pathogenic Arenaviruses (Arenaviridae)

Several arenaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever (HF) disease in humans and have a vast impact on public health in their endemic regions. In addition, evidence indicates that the worldwide-distributed arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a neglected human pathogen. Current medical countermeasures to treat human pathogenic arenaviruses are very limited. Progress in arenavirus molecular genetics has made it possible to manipulate the arenavirus genome, which has contributed to significant progress in understanding arenavirus molecular and cell biology, as well as arenavirus-host interactions underlying arenavirus-induced disease in humans. Likewise, these advances in arenavirus biology might facilitate the development of novel vaccines and antiviral drugs to combat human pathogenic arenaviruses.