40 Years after the Registration of Acyclovir: Do We Need New Anti-Herpetic Drugs?
Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 HSV1 and 2, namely varicella-zoster VZV and cytomegalovirus CMV, are among the most common pathogens worldwide. They remain in the host body for life. The course of infection with these viruses is often asymptomatic or mild and self-limiting, but in immunocompromis...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-03-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/7/3431 |
| _version_ | 1797439227123728384 |
|---|---|
| author | Anna Majewska Beata Mlynarczyk-Bonikowska |
| author_facet | Anna Majewska Beata Mlynarczyk-Bonikowska |
| author_sort | Anna Majewska |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 HSV1 and 2, namely varicella-zoster VZV and cytomegalovirus CMV, are among the most common pathogens worldwide. They remain in the host body for life. The course of infection with these viruses is often asymptomatic or mild and self-limiting, but in immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ or bone marrow transplant recipients, the course can be very severe or even life-threatening. Unfortunately, in the latter group, the highest percentage of infections with strains resistant to routinely used drugs is observed. On the other hand, frequent recurrences of genital herpes can be a problem even in people with normal immunity. Genital herpes also increases the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection and, if present in pregnant women, poses a risk to the fetus and newborn. Even more frequently than herpes simplex, congenital infections can be caused by cytomegalovirus. We present the most important anti-herpesviral agents, the mechanisms of resistance to these drugs, and the associated mutations in the viral genome. Special emphasis was placed on newly introduced drugs such as maribavir and brincidofovir. We also briefly discuss the most promising substances in preclinical testing as well as immunotherapy options and vaccines currently in use and under investigation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:49:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b19f4b5d3b704db9981dc87624502381 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:49:44Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-b19f4b5d3b704db9981dc876245023812023-11-30T23:16:48ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672022-03-01237343110.3390/ijms2307343140 Years after the Registration of Acyclovir: Do We Need New Anti-Herpetic Drugs?Anna Majewska0Beata Mlynarczyk-Bonikowska1Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Chałubińskiego 5, 02-004 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Dermatology, Immunodermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Warsaw, Koszykowa 82a, 02-008 Warsaw, PolandHerpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 HSV1 and 2, namely varicella-zoster VZV and cytomegalovirus CMV, are among the most common pathogens worldwide. They remain in the host body for life. The course of infection with these viruses is often asymptomatic or mild and self-limiting, but in immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ or bone marrow transplant recipients, the course can be very severe or even life-threatening. Unfortunately, in the latter group, the highest percentage of infections with strains resistant to routinely used drugs is observed. On the other hand, frequent recurrences of genital herpes can be a problem even in people with normal immunity. Genital herpes also increases the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection and, if present in pregnant women, poses a risk to the fetus and newborn. Even more frequently than herpes simplex, congenital infections can be caused by cytomegalovirus. We present the most important anti-herpesviral agents, the mechanisms of resistance to these drugs, and the associated mutations in the viral genome. Special emphasis was placed on newly introduced drugs such as maribavir and brincidofovir. We also briefly discuss the most promising substances in preclinical testing as well as immunotherapy options and vaccines currently in use and under investigation.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/7/3431HSVVZVCMVantiviralsresistance mechanisms |
| spellingShingle | Anna Majewska Beata Mlynarczyk-Bonikowska 40 Years after the Registration of Acyclovir: Do We Need New Anti-Herpetic Drugs? International Journal of Molecular Sciences HSV VZV CMV antivirals resistance mechanisms |
| title | 40 Years after the Registration of Acyclovir: Do We Need New Anti-Herpetic Drugs? |
| title_full | 40 Years after the Registration of Acyclovir: Do We Need New Anti-Herpetic Drugs? |
| title_fullStr | 40 Years after the Registration of Acyclovir: Do We Need New Anti-Herpetic Drugs? |
| title_full_unstemmed | 40 Years after the Registration of Acyclovir: Do We Need New Anti-Herpetic Drugs? |
| title_short | 40 Years after the Registration of Acyclovir: Do We Need New Anti-Herpetic Drugs? |
| title_sort | 40 years after the registration of acyclovir do we need new anti herpetic drugs |
| topic | HSV VZV CMV antivirals resistance mechanisms |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/7/3431 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT annamajewska 40yearsaftertheregistrationofacyclovirdoweneednewantiherpeticdrugs AT beatamlynarczykbonikowska 40yearsaftertheregistrationofacyclovirdoweneednewantiherpeticdrugs |