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Human physiology, hazards and health risks
Published in Stephen Battersby, Clay's Handbook of Environmental Health, 2023
Revati Phalkey, Naima Bradley, Alec Dobney, Virginia Murray, John O’Hagan, Mutahir Ahmad, Darren Addison, Tracy Gooding, Timothy W Gant, Emma L Marczylo, Caryn L Cox
These describe a group of distinct and highly infectious RNA viruses that cause severe, life-threatening febrile illnesses. These infections are endemic in Africa, South America, some parts of Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The clinical course of VHF infections range from an abrupt onset, rapid progression and clinical deterioration seen in Marburg and Ebola infections, to the multiphasic clinical pattern observed in Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) infections, and the gradual onset, less severe haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa fever virus. Case fatality is between 2% and 90% depending on the virus. Definitive diagnosis is based on virus isolation, electron microscopy, virus antigen detection and serology. The use of antiviral drugs is only recommended for Lassa fever and CCHF.
Microbiological Hazards
Published in Dag K. Brune, Christer Edling, Occupational Hazards in the Health Professions, 2020
An extended list of viruses covering all reported laboratory infections as well as proposed biosafety measures is available and should be consulted for details.376 Lassa fever, first described in 1961, has had a reputation for causing very severe nosocomial infections with a case fatality rate of about 50%. Recent investigations have shown Lassa fever to be an extremely common infection in West Africa (Sierra Leone) and a major cause of death.377 How the virus is spread from person to person is still not clear, but accidental inoculation as well as airborne spread seem to play a role. Vaccine is not available. Strict isolation of patients should be applied, and handling of infectious materials in the laboratory should only be undertaken in a maximum containment facility.13,287 These recommendations are also valid for the other arena virus infections (lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and the tacaribe group of viruses) with the exception that lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus can be handled in laboratories classified as Biosafety Level 3.
Human physiology, hazards and health risks
Published in Stephen Battersby, Clay's Handbook of Environmental Health, 2016
David J. Baker, Naima Bradley, Alec Dobney, Virginia Murray, Jill R. Meara, John O’Hagan, Neil P. McColl, Caryn L. Cox
These describe a group of distinct and highly infectious RNA viruses that cause severe, life-threatening febrile illnesses. These infections are endemic in Africa, South America and some parts of Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The clinical course of VHF infections range from an abrupt onset, rapid progression and clinical deterioration seen in Marburg and Ebola infections, to the multiphasic clinical pattern observed in Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) infections, and the gradual onset, less severe hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa fever virus. Case fatality is between 2 per cent and 90 per cent depending on the virus. Definitive diagnosis is based on virus isolation, electron microscopy, virus antigen detection and serology. The use of antiviral drugs is only recommended for Lassa fever and CCHF.
Investigation of the embryo-toxicity of the antiviral drug “Ribavirin” in Wistar rats during different gestation periods
Published in Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2023
Mohamed Magdy, Abd El Wahab El Ghareeb, Taha M. A. Eldebss, Heba Ali Abd El Rahman
Ribavirin (1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide) is a water-soluble, guanosine nucleoside analog that mimics other purines, including inosine and adenosine [1]. It is a broad-spectrum direct antiviral agent (DAA) authorized in 1986 [2]. Ribavirin demonstrated antiviral efficacy against DNA and RNA viruses in numerous animal infection models [1]. In addition, ribavirin has been utilized to treat Lassa fever virus infection and other viruses [3]. However, ribavirin given to adult female rats resulted in severe ovary damage. These genotoxic effects of ribavirin may induce infertility in pregnant rats throughout the reproductive phases [4], and ribavirin at doses of 60 and 90 mg/kg/day resulted in statistically significant and/or dose-related increases in fetal resorptions, malformations, and decreased postnatal survival [5].