Present perspectives on flaviviral chemotherapy

Abstract

Flaviviruses are a group of arboviruses under the family of Flaviviridae. Flaviviruses are global pathogens, some of which cause neurotrophic disorders from mild febrile illness to lethal encephalitis while others cause severe hemorrhagic fever. These viruses are endemic to many parts of the world and periodic outbreaks take thousands of lives. With globalization of the world accompanied by gradual shift in global climate, the viruses are emerging in newer areas and we are in a point of exigency to decipher new drugs to combat these emerging threats. Although extensive research has taken place and vaccines for few of these viral diseases are available, still no chemotherapeutic agent has been found to deliver an absolute cure to flaviviral infections. It is important to assess the present status of flavivirus drug research and delve deep into the avenues of flavivirus drug discovery. This review outlines the chemotherapeutic agents explored till date, and highlights perspectives on a possible future breakthrough – at least to ameliorate if not to abrogate the diseases.