Title:Marburg Virus- A Threat During SARS-CoV-2 Era: A Review
Volume: 23
Issue: 5
Author(s): Sumel Ashique*, Vatan Chaudhary, Soumen Pal, Jonee Panwar, Mukesh Kumar, Soumi Pramanik, Abhipsa Sinha and Anagh Mukherjee
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Bharat Institute of Technology (BIT), Meerut, UP, India
Keywords:
Marburg virus, transmission, animal model, RNA virus, ELISA, PCR assay.
Abstract: In the German towns of Marburg, Frankfurt, and Belgrade in 1967, this single negativestranded
RNA virus was initially discovered. The importation of infected grivet monkeys from Uganda
is what caused this virus-related sickness. As a result of the early link between viruses and non-human
primates, this virus is frequently referred to as vervet monkey sickness. This virus causes Marburg
hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. Human endothelial cells serve as the primary
vehicle for replication. According to a 2009 report, the virus was being stored in Egyptian fruit bats
(Rousettus aegyptiacus). Body fluids, unprotected sex, broken or injured skin, and other bodily fluids
are the main routes of transmission. After the incubation period, symptoms like chills, headaches, myalgia,
and stomach pain start to show up. There is no specific medication for such an infection, only
hydration therapy and adequate oxygenation are followed. The following diagnostic techniques can be
used to confirm the diagnosis: (i) an antibody-capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA);
ii) an antigen capture ELISA test; iii) a serum neutralization test; iv) an RT PCR assay; v) electron
microscopy; or vi) virus isolation by cell culture. Because MARV is a risk group 4 infection, laboratory
staff must take strict precautions (RG-4).
