Feature Papers in Virology

A topical collection in Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This collection belongs to the section "Virology".

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Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
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Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

The year 2024 has been a rich one for virology, with discoveries that promise to transform our understanding of and fight against viruses. Thanks to technological advances (next-generation sequencing, IA, RNA vaccines) and unprecedented international collaborations, promising prospects are opening up for personalized medicine, in response to current or future epidemics, as well as for the treatment of chronic diseases of viral origin.

1. New antiviral therapies:

In 2024, new classes of antiviral drugs capable of targeting specific structures of viruses were developed, making their reproduction impossible. These innovative treatments have shown promising efficacy against major pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B and various coronaviruses. Preliminary clinical trials have revealed impressive success rates, paving the way for more effective, less toxic treatments.

2. Next-generation mRNA vaccines:

Inspired by the success of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, this technology has been extended to design vaccines capable of preventing a variety of viral diseases. In 2024, trials of mRNA vaccines against influenza and Ebola began, showing promising results. These vaccines can be adapted to respond to future epidemics.

3. Understanding Host-Virus Interactions:

Advances in molecular biology and genomics have led to a better understanding of how viruses interact with their hosts. In 2024, mechanisms were identified by which viruses manipulate host cells for their own benefit. These discoveries could lead to new therapeutic strategies that exploit these interactions, helping to boost the host's immune response.

4. Surveillance and early detection:

With viral epidemics on the rise, upstream surveillance has become crucial. In 2024, the development of artificial intelligence-based detection systems made it possible to track viral threats in real time. These innovative tools analyze huge masses of data from a variety of sources, enabling rapid identification of outbreaks and a coordinated response from health authorities.

5. Awareness and Education:

The virology breakthroughs of 2024 were not only technical, but also social and educational programs have been launched to raise public awareness of viruses and their prevention. These initiatives aim to promote vaccination and inform about hygiene measures, thus helping to reduce the speed at which viral diseases spread.

The year 2024 was marked by groundbreaking discoveries in virology, opening up new perspectives for public health through technological innovation, international collaboration and awareness-raising.

Dr. Isabelle Chemin
Collection Editor

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Keywords

  • new antiviral therapies
  • mRNA vaccines
  • host-virus interactions
  • viral detection

Published Papers (1 paper)

2025

18 pages, 1336 KiB  
Review
An Update on Viral Conjunctivitis Treatment Strategies: A Narrative Literature Review
by Maheshver Shunmugam, Francesca Giovannetti, Sonia N. Yeung and Alfonso Iovieno
Microorganisms 2025, 13(8), 1712; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081712 - 22 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Viral conjunctivitis is a highly contagious ocular condition that significantly impacts patient quality of life and healthcare resources. Despite its self-limiting nature, the condition remains a significant public health concern due to its high transmissibility, prolonged symptoms, and potential complications such as subepithelial [...] Read more.
Viral conjunctivitis is a highly contagious ocular condition that significantly impacts patient quality of life and healthcare resources. Despite its self-limiting nature, the condition remains a significant public health concern due to its high transmissibility, prolonged symptoms, and potential complications such as subepithelial infiltrates (SEIs). This review aimed to synthesize and evaluate current management strategies for adenoviral conjunctivitis and provide an evidence-based treatment framework. A systematic literature search of PubMed and the Cochrane Library was conducted, identifying 25 eligible studies published between 2009 and 2024 that focused on clinical interventions including supportive care, antiseptics, corticosteroids, antivirals, and immune modulators. The findings indicate that while supportive therapy and hygiene measures remain central to care, antiseptic agents, specifically povidone–iodine, and topical steroids offer additional benefit in reducing symptom duration and complications. Combination therapies integrating antiseptics, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators show promise for more severe cases, especially those complicated by SEIs. This review proposes an evidence-based comprehensive, multimodal approach management algorithm while highlighting the need for future research in antiviral development and diagnostic innovation to avoid mistreatment and unnecessary antibiotic use. Full article
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