thromboplastin and Filoviridae-Infections

Filoviruses are responsible for highly lethal infections. Those viruses are found in intertropical areas of Africa and Asia where they circulate in their supposed natural reservoir, fruit bats. During filovirus outbreaks and depending on the strains, various modifications in hemostasis have been observed in patients. The disseminated intravascular coagulation identified in these infections is multicausal and involves both viral factors and abnormal physiological responses. In this review we will describe the mechanisms responsible for these disturbances and we will highlight some aspects of the basis of filovirus high pathogenicity.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Animals; Chiroptera; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Cytokines; Disease Reservoirs; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Endothelial Cells; Filoviridae; Filoviridae Infections; Haplorhini; Hepatocytes; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Necrosis; Recombinant Proteins; Thromboplastin; Viral Load; Viral Proteins

Filovirus infections in humans and primates cause intrinsic activation of the clotting cascade. Tissue factor, the normal activator of the clotting cascade, is released into the bloodstream from activated leukocytes and viral budding from infected cells. This release of tissue factor, a trans-membrane protein found in large amounts in cells preferred by filoviruses for replication, initiates the hemorrhagic complications characteristic of filovirus infection. These complications contribute to the high mortality rates of filovirus infections. Directing chemotheraputic measures at the release of tissue factor, which causes the hemorrhagic complications, will result in significant reductions of mortality rates in man and primates.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Cells; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Filoviridae; Filoviridae Infections; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Pentoxifylline; Primate Diseases; Primates; Thromboplastin; Viral Envelope Proteins; Virus Replication