Marburg Virus Disease – A Mini-Review

Abstract

Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly fatal disease caused by the Marburg virus (MARV) which belongs to the family Filoviridae. The disease has been recently reported from Ghana, an African country, and nearly 15 outbreaks of MVD have been reported in the past five decades. Various species of bats viz., Rousettus aegyptiacus, Hipposideros caffer, and certain Chiroptera act as the natural source of infection. Pathophysiology of the disease reveals severe antiviral suppression due to changes in gene expression and interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) production in the hepatic cells. With the progression of the disease, there may be the development of pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomition, pharyngitis, and diarrhea along with the onset of hemorrhagic manifestations which may lead to the death of a patient. The advent of molecular detection techniques and kits viz., reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kit has greatly aided in the diagnosis of MVD. Identification of the virus in the specimen with great accuracy can be done by whole viral genome sequencing. The use of a combination of MR-186-YTE (monoclonal antibody) and an antiviral drug named remdesivir in the NHP model is greatly effective for eliminating MARV. The protective effect of a Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) (recombinant) - based vaccine expressing the glycoprotein of MARV has been revealed through animal model studies, other vaccines are also being developed. Proper health education, personal hygiene and precautions by health care workers while handling patients, good laboratory facilities and service along with the establishment of enhanced surveillance systems are the need of the hour to tackle this highly fatal disease. This article presents an overview of different aspects and salient features of MARV / MVD, and prevention and control strategies to be adopted.