Lassa virus (LASV), Junin virus (JUNV) and several other members of the Arenaviridae induce severe, often fatal hemorrhagic fevers, and are classified as Biosafety Level 4 and NIAID Biodefense Category A agents. In addition to high case fatality rates, arenaviruses have many features that enhance their potential as bioweapons. Arenaviruses have relatively stable virions, do not require passage via insect vectors, are transmitted easily by human-to-human contact and can be spread by simple means of dispersal. The ease of travel to and from endemic areas also permits easy access to LASV and other arenaviruses for use as bioweapons. A cluster of hemorrhagic fever cases in the United States caused by any arenavirus would be a major public health incident. The potential use of arenaviruses as biological weapons directed against civilian or military targets necessitates development of effective commercial diagnostics. The ultimate goal of our project is to develop and validate multiagent diagnostic immunoassays for arenaviruses using recombinant antigens. These assays can be used to determine the attack agent following a deliberate release, and allow the virus used to be distinguished from other hemorrhagic fever viruses, such as dengue virus or Ebola virus, that may have similar case presentations. Development of rapid immunodiagnostic assays will also improve treatment of arenaviral diseases, facilitate studies to understand their prevalence and natural history, and ultimately lead to vaccines for preventing these major causes of morbidity and mortality / acase@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_26524 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Contributors | Fair, Joseph N (Author), Lackner, Andrew (Thesis advisor) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Access requires a license to the Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) database., Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law |
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