Bolivian hemorrhagic fever (BHF) is characterized by a high mortality rate and a lack of approved therapeutics, thus there is an urgent need for effective vaccines and therapeutic interventions. Through a combination of innovative scientific approaches and robust preclinical services, our company is committed to advancing the fight against this devastating disease.
Overview of Bolivian Hemorrhagic Fever
Bolivian hemorrhagic fever (BHF), also known as Ordog Fever or black typhus, is an acute, high-mortality viral illness caused primarily by the Machupo virus (MACV) and, more recently, the Chapare virus (CHAPV). These arenaviruses are zoonotic pathogens, primarily transmitted to humans through contact with excreta or secretions of infected wild rodents, particularly the Callomys callosus species. BHF is characterized by a tri-phasic clinical course: the prodromal phase, featuring nonspecific symptoms such as fever, myalgia, and malaise; a critical hemorrhagic phase, marked by severe bleeding and high mortality rates; and a convalescent phase, where survivors may experience prolonged recovery.
Fig.1 Geographic distribution of Callomys callosus, Machupo virus (MACV), and Chapare virus (CHAPV) human cases in Bolivian territory. (Silva-Ramos C. R., et al., 2021)
Vaccine Development for Bolivian Hemorrhagic Fever
Multi-Epitope-Based Vaccines
Recent scientific literature has highlighted the potential of multi-epitope-based vaccines in combating BHF. These vaccines are designed using immunoinformatics approaches, focusing on both B and T-cell epitopes derived from the viral nucleocapsid protein. The selection of epitopes is based on antigenicity scores and non-allergenic properties, ensuring a potent and safe immune response.
Reverse Vaccinology Approach
The reverse vaccinology approach has been instrumental in the development of BHF vaccines. This method involves the in silico analysis of viral genomes to identify potential antigenic proteins, followed by the experimental validation of these candidates. This strategy has facilitated the identification of novel epitopes and the design of vaccines with broad population coverage, offering a promising avenue for vaccine development against BHF.
Therapeutics Development for Bolivian Hemorrhagic Fever
The development of antiviral therapies for BHF has been challenging due to the lack of approved therapeutics. However, recent studies have explored the use of broad-spectrum antivirals such as ribavirin, which have shown some efficacy in treating BHF. The focus is now on optimizing these therapies, managing side effects, and conducting extensive clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy profiles.
The development of monoclonal antibodies targeting specific viral components is a promising therapeutic strategy. These antibodies can neutralize the virus, potentially reducing the severity of the disease. Our company has the capabilities to develop innovative BHF therapies. You can click on the link below to learn about our one-stop therapy development services.
Our Services
Our comprehensive services for BHF vaccine and therapy development encompass every stage of the research continuum. We prioritize innovation and scientific rigor in our approach, employing advanced methodologies to assess the safety and efficacy of vaccine candidates and therapeutic agents.
- Guinea Pig Models: the Machupo virus-Chicava strain is administered via aerosol challenge to guinea pigs.
- Rhesus Monkey MACV Infection Models
- Cynomolgus Macaque MACV Infection Models
Our preclinical research services are designed to support the development of BHF vaccines and therapeutics from initial discovery through to late-stage preclinical evaluation. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Silva-Ramos, Carlos Ramiro, et al. "Bolivian hemorrhagic fever: a narrative review." Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 40 (2021): 102001.
- Naveed, Muhammad, et al. "Immunoinformatics approach to design multi-epitope-based vaccine against machupo virus taking viral nucleocapsid as a potential candidate." Vaccines 10.10 (2022): 1732.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
