Chapter 2: Advances in Prophylaxis and Therapy of Arenavirus Hemorrhagic Fevers

Arenaviridae are etiologic agents of hemorrhagic fevers. This family includes viruses such as Lassa, Lujo, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, Chapare, and Junin. These zoonotic viruses are hosted by rodents, and initial contamination occurs through contact with contaminated rodent products. Human to human transmission is then possible. A very high lethality is observed after infection with these viruses, and neither a licensed vaccine nor efficient therapy is available in the field. The severity of the disease and the potential dissemination led WHO to consider some of these viruses as priority emerging disease. Some experimental treatments based on immunotherapy and antiviral approaches have been developed, and several vaccine candidates are currently being evaluated. We discuss here the advances in therapy and prophylaxis of arenavirus infections.