Novel Antiviral Targets against Emerging Viruses

Dear Colleagues,

Diseases caused by viruses represents an important public health concern due to the possibility of outbreaks and epidemics, impacting individuals, health services, and the economy worldwide. Throughout history, outbreaks and epizootics have been described around the world from time to time, as exemplified by the current pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the demand for antivirals against emerging viruses has increased. Additionally, tropical and subtropical countries have faced a critical scenario related to the control of arboviruses caused by Chikungunya (CHIKV), Mayaro (MAYV), Dengue (DENV), and Zika (ZIKV) viruses, which can result in long-term consequences for human health as well as high costs to health services.

Host jumps caused by direct contact with wild animals, in the case of coronaviruses and the wide distribution of vectors susceptible to viral transmission of arboviruses raise concerns about the possible emergence of future epidemics involving emerging viruses. In addition, RNA viruses have high frequencies of mutation during replication, which is related to the virus’ ability to evade the immune response and challenges the effectiveness of antivirals. Therefore, it is essential to develop a variety of antiviral molecules that can abrogate viral infection and that could also be used in combined therapies.

Prof. Dr. Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim
Prof. Dr. Paula Rahal
Guest Editors

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