Marburg Virus- A Threat During SARS-CoV-2 Era: A Review

Abstract

In the German towns of Marburg, Frankfurt, and Belgrade in 1967, this single negative-stranded 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).

The Current Pathogenicity and Potential Risk Evaluation of Marburg Virus to Cause Mysterious “Disease X”—An Update on Recent Evidences

“…Marburg virus is an enveloped, filamentous, single-stranded, non-segmented, negative-sense RNA virus that belongs to the filovirus family. 16 The Marburg is a single species that consists of 2 viruses Marburg virus and Ravn virus, they exhibit approximately 79% homology whereby the latter first appeared in Kenya in 1987. 17 , 18 While virions vary in length, Marburg virus particles are typically close to 800 nm in length.…”

“…26 An MVD outbreak can spread rapidly and cause societal and medical issues if it grows out of reach. 16 Unlike the Ebola virus, the MARV has received less attention until now. It is now gaining global attention as several countries (Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania, and Ghana) have recently detected the virus for the first time.…”

Preparing for future outbreaks in Ghana: An overview of current COVID-19, monkeypox, and Marburg disease outbreaks

“…The effort to monitor contacts and promptly isolate confirmed cases was essential strategies for containing the outbreak and preventing further transmission. 44,45 Preparation towards the outbreak of Marburg virus disease WHO mobilized a team of experts to assist Ghana's health authorities in strengthening disease surveillance and response plans in light of the Marburg virus outbreak. 16,46 The WHO experts collaborated with Ghana's health authorities to establish a sensitive case definition for MVD, implement early testing and isolation protocols for confirmed cases, conduct comprehensive contact tracing efforts, ensure effective case management and isolation, and engage with communities to raise awareness about the risks and hazards associated with the disease.…”

Mapping knowledge landscapes and emerging trends of Marburg virus: A text-mining study

“…Its transmission primarily involves zoonotic spread, often through bodily fluids. This enveloped, single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus exhibits a branched or coiled structure under electron microscopy, with a genome RNA length of approximately 19 kb, comprising seven open reading frames [ 2 , 3 ]. The primary pathogenic mechanisms include direct cellular damage upon host cell infection and indirect cell impairment due to the interaction between the virus and the host's immune system [ [4] , [5] , [6] ].…”

“…However, despite the declared end, unidentified transmission chains persist, signaling a global need for vigilance in disease prevention and control. Yet, there are currently no reliable vaccines or effective treatments for this highly contagious and lethal virus [ 2 , 3 , 14 ]. Given the potential of MARV to cause large-scale outbreaks, summarizing its global research status and trends becomes pivotal.…”