Article type: Mini Review
Received: June 14, 2020
Revised: July 01, 2020
Accepted: July 15, 2020
Citation: Singh P and Singh S; Effective countermeasure for Filovirus infections: focusing monoclonal antibodies as passive prophylaxis shield against Ebola Virus disease, Biotechnology Kiosk, Vol 2, Issue 8, PP: 18-35 (2020); DOI: https://doi.org/10.37756/bk.20.2.8.2

Abstract

In 2020 the pandemic of COVID 19 by SARS-COV 2 infected more than 27 million with more than 875,000 deaths. Present day world is more compact with quick mode of transport between far locations, this makes spread of new viral infections at alarming rates. Similarly, Filovirus is a family of extremely dangerous Marburgvirus and Ebolavirus with up to 90% mortality rate. Since first Filovirus was discovered in 1967, many outbreaks were reported from African countries. Increased number of infected human population in other outbreaks in 2014 – 2017 poses a question of our understanding of Filovirus reservoirs. We are beginning to understand the relation between virus and ecological agents and their role in the spread of disease, but it is still a long road ahead. To counteract and containment of Filovirus infection, it is utmost requirement to understand the viral life cycle patterns, agents involved and type of circulating strains in different geographical locations. This information will provide the basis to develop viable therapies to counteract future outbreaks. In these outbreaks’ magnitude of population and geographical area affected creates the urgency to generate effective vaccines and prophylactic agents so that mortalities can be controlled during future outbreaks. Therapies are required for pre-infection acute phase and post-infection. Here, we summarize recent advances in immunotherapy strategies that can be used as passive prophylaxis. We focused on development of recent monoclonal antibodies and cocktails that can be used as neutralizing agents or immunotherapy for Ebola infected patients During the pre-outbreak period it is required to vaccinate susceptible populations that will allow limiting the infection and mortalities. Furthermore, during the acute phase to neutralize virus and limiting disease symptoms, passive
prophylaxis mean neutralizing antibodies are required. In the recent past few promising therapies are developed, some of these are on the clinical trial phase. Here we will review these therapies with their advantages in protecting against Filovirus.
Key Words: Pandemic, COVID 19, neutralizing antibodies