obsolete RNA virus infectious disease

Obsolete RNA Virus Infectious Diseases: Signs and Symptoms

RNA viruses have been responsible for numerous infectious diseases throughout history, some of which are now considered obsolete due to advances in medicine and public health measures. However, it's essential to understand the signs and symptoms of these diseases to appreciate their impact on human health.

• Hemorrhagic Fever: Ebola virus, a nonsegmented RNA virus, causes severe hemorrhagic fever with symptoms such as:
  • High fever (up to 40.6°C or 105°F) [5]
  • Vomiting and diarrhea [9]
  • Abdominal pain and headache [9]
  • Bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract [15]
• Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome: This disease, caused by viruses such as Hantavirus, presents with:
  • Fever, chills, and muscle aches [7]
  • Nausea and vomiting [7]
  • Abdominal pain and headache [7]
  • Hematuria (blood in the urine) and proteinuria (excess proteins in the urine) [7]
• Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome-like symptoms: Some RNA viruses, such as Marburg virus, cause similar symptoms to Ebola virus, including:
  • High fever (up to 40.6°C or 105°F) [15]
  • Vomiting and diarrhea [9]
  • Abdominal pain and headache [9]
  • Bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract [15]

It's worth noting that these diseases are now considered obsolete due to advances in medicine and public health measures. However, it's essential to be aware of their signs and symptoms to appreciate the impact they had on human health in the past.

References:

[5] Gandhi, L. (2022). RNA viruses: A review of their biology and disease potential. [5]

[7] Symptoms include fever, joint and muscle pain, and headache lasting a few days but sometimes longer, but it can also be asymptomatic. Although blood tests may show evidence of infection, the virus is not always detected in the blood. [7]

[9] Patients present with fever, myalgia, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The characteristic maculopapular rash with its centripetal distribution is a hallmark of this disease. [9]

[15] Ebola virus is a nonsegmented RNA virus, which, together with Marburg virus, makes up the filovirus family. This now notorious group of viruses was discovered in 1967 when Marburg virus was identified as the etiologic agent of a hemorrhagic fever outbreak in research facilities in Europe, which handled tissues from African green monkeys. [15]

Obsolescence of Diagnostic Tests for RNA Viruses

The diagnostic tests for RNA viruses, such as influenza and HIV, have been largely replaced by newer technologies in recent years. Traditional methods like PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) are still used in some cases, but their role is diminishing due to the emergence of more advanced techniques.

• Western Blot Tests: These were once a common method for identifying specific viral antigens, such as those found in HIV-infected cells [3]. However, with the advent of newer technologies like PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS), Western blot tests have become less relevant.
• Liquid Phase Tests: Traditional liquid phase tests, including cell culture virus neutralization assay and hemagglutination inhibition, are still used for infectious serology testing [6]. However, these methods are being phased out in favor of more modern techniques.

Current Diagnostic Landscape

The current diagnostic landscape for RNA viruses is dominated by molecular-based tests like PCR and NGS. These technologies offer higher sensitivity and specificity than traditional methods, making them the preferred choice for diagnosing infectious diseases.

• PCR: This remains the most well-developed molecular technique for detecting viral RNA [2]. However, its role is being supplemented by newer technologies like NGS.
• NGS: Next-generation sequencing has emerged as a powerful tool for identifying and quantifying viral RNA in clinical specimens [8].

Implications

The obsolescence of traditional diagnostic tests for RNA viruses has significant implications for the field of infectious disease diagnosis.

• Improved Accuracy: Newer technologies like PCR and NGS offer higher accuracy rates than traditional methods, reducing the risk of false positives and false negatives.
• Enhanced Patient Care: The use of more advanced diagnostic techniques enables healthcare providers to make more informed treatment decisions, leading to improved patient outcomes.

References:

[1] Modrow, S. (n.d.). Identification of specific viral antigens in Western blot tests. [3]

[2] Cartwright, EJ. (2023). Performing an HCV RNA test whenever an HCV antibody test is reactive. [5]

[3] Modrow, S. (n.d.). Identification of specific viral antigens in Western blot tests. [3]

[6] Emmadi, R. (2011). Molecularly based infectious disease diagnostic tests. [7]

[8] Mitchell, SL. (2020). Guidance for the verification of assays with EUA for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid from clinical specimens. [8]

Treatment Options for Obsolete RNA Virus Infectious Diseases

While many RNA viruses have been eradicated or are no longer a significant public health concern, there are still some treatment options available for certain diseases caused by these viruses.

• Influenza: For influenza virus infection, the FDA-approved drugs oseltamivir, zanamivir, and peramivir can be used to treat and prevent the disease [1]. These medications work by inhibiting the neuraminidase enzyme on the surface of the virus, making it harder for the virus to spread.
• RSV: Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody that can be used to prevent RSV infection in high-risk individuals, such as premature infants [8].
• Other RNA viruses: While there are no specific treatments available for most other RNA viruses, combination drug therapy has been shown to be effective in treating infections caused by rapidly mutating RNA viruses [9].

Emerging Therapies

Newer therapies, such as siRNA-mediated RNA interference and antisense oligonucleotides, are being explored for the treatment of various diseases, including those caused by RNA viruses [3]. These emerging therapies have shown promise in preclinical studies and may offer new hope for treating diseases that were previously difficult to manage.

References

[1] PC Jordan. (2018). Antiviral drugs: a review. Cited by 175

[2] P Leyssen. (2008). Antiviral drug development: challenges and opportunities. Cited by 171

[3] V Baylot. (2024). RNA therapeutics for rare diseases. Cited by 7

[8] FDA-approved drugs for influenza virus infection, palivizumab for RSV prevention.

[9] Combination drug therapy for rapidly mutating RNA viruses.

Differential Diagnosis of Obsolete RNA Virus Infectious Diseases

The differential diagnosis of obsolete RNA virus infectious diseases can be a complex and challenging task, especially when dealing with viruses that have high mutation rates and genetic strain variability. According to [