We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Study Suggests Pleconaril Has Potential to Treat EV-D68 Infection

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 11 Jan 2015
Print article
Image: Color-coded image shows the surface view of enterovirus D68, which has stricken children with serious respiratory infections and might be associated with polio-like symptoms. Red regions are the highest peaks, and the lowest portions are blue. In the black-and-white background are actual electron microscopy images of the EV-D68 virus (Photo courtesy of Purdue University).
Image: Color-coded image shows the surface view of enterovirus D68, which has stricken children with serious respiratory infections and might be associated with polio-like symptoms. Red regions are the highest peaks, and the lowest portions are blue. In the black-and-white background are actual electron microscopy images of the EV-D68 virus (Photo courtesy of Purdue University).
The antiviral drug pleconaril effectively blocks the spread of laboratory strains of EV-D68 virus but fails to protect against the strains currently causing an outbreak of childhood respiratory disease in the United States.

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a member of Picornaviridae and was the causative agent of more than 1,149 cases of respiratory illness reported among children in the United States in August 2014.

Investigators at Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN, USA) used advanced X-ray crystallography techniques to study the interaction between EV-D68 and the antiviral drug pleconaril. Pleconaril was developed in the 1990s but has not been approved by the [US] Food and Drug Administration primarily because of a side effect that puts women using birth control drugs at risk of conception.

Results published in the January 2, 2015, issue of the journal Science revealed that the hydrophobic drug-binding pocket in viral protein 1 contained density that was consistent with a fatty acid of about 10 carbon atoms. This density could be displaced by pleconaril. Further experiments showed that pleconaril inhibited EV-D68 at a half-maximal effective concentration of 430 nanomolar and might, therefore, be a possible drug candidate to alleviate EV-D68 outbreaks.

"The compound and the normal pocket factor compete with each other for binding into the pocket," said senior author Dr. Michael G. Rossmann, professor of biological sciences at Purdue University. "They are both hydrophobic, and they both like to get away from water by going into the pocket. But which of these is going to win depends on the pocket itself, the pocket factor, and properties of the antiviral compound."

Although pleconaril was found to be inactive against current strains of EV-D68, it was active against the original 1962 isolate. "Designing the best possible compound for these newer strains will take more time, but I hope that in a year or so we might have something," said Dr. Rossmann.

Related Links:

Purdue University


Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
GEM Premier 7000 with iQM3
Unit-Dose Packaging solution
HLX
New
Flu Test
ID NOW Influenza A & B 2
New
Serum Toxicology Benzodiazepine Assay
DRI Serum Toxicology Benzodiazepine Assay

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The new saliva-based test for heart failure measures two biomarkers in about 15 minutes (Photo courtesy of Trey Pittman)

POC Saliva Testing Device Predicts Heart Failure in 15 Minutes

Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It ranks as a major cause of death globally and is particularly fatal for... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The bowel cancer breakthrough could result in better treatment outcomes (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New RNA Molecules Can Help Predict Bowel Cancer Return Recurrence

Colorectal cancer accounts for 10% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide and was ranked as the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States in 2022. Currently, clinicians face diagnostic... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: QScout CBC will give a complete blood count in 2 minutes from fingerstick or venous blood (Photo courtesy of Ad Astra Diagnostics)

Next Gen CBC and Sepsis Diagnostic System Targets Faster, Earlier, Easier Results

Every hour is critical in protecting patients from infections, yet there are currently limited tools to assist in early diagnosis before patients reach a hospital. The complete blood count (CBC) is a common... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The InfectoSynovia test has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

High-Accuracy Bedside Test to Diagnose Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Five Minutes

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) represents a significant global issue that is worsening as the number of joint replacements increases due to aging populations. In the United States alone, the anticipated... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image

AI-Based Method Shows Promise for Pathological Diagnosis of Hereditary Kidney Diseases

Alport syndrome is a hereditary kidney disorder characterized by kidney dysfunction, sensorineural hearing loss, and ocular abnormalities. Early in the disease, patients experience hematuria, which is... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.