Marburg virus disease: A systematic review

D. Suryaprabha*

Chief Clinical Pharmacist & Assistant Manager – Clinical Research, Kauvery Hospitals, India

*Correspondence: M: +91 98414 86267;
email: suryaprabha@kauveryhospital.com

Abstract

Background: The Marburg virus disease (MVD), identified in 1967, has caused deadly outbreaks worldwide, the mortality rate of Marburg virus disease (MVD) varies depending on the outbreak and virus strain, but the average case fatality rate is around 50%. MV induces haemorrhagic fever, organ failure, and coagulation issues in both humans and non-human primates [2]

Methods: The recent studies related to aim of the review were undertaken.

Conclusion: The World Health Organization (WHO) considers MV a high-concern filovirus causing severe and fatal haemorrhagic fever, with a death rate ranging from 24 to 88%.[3] No case has been reported in India so far[4].

Keywords: Marburg virus disease (MVD); Coagulation; WHO; CDC; Haemorrhagic fever

Background

The Marburg virus disease (MVD), identified in 1967, has caused deadly outbreaks worldwide, the mortality rate of Marburg virus disease (MVD) varies depending on the outbreak and virus strain, but the average case fatality rate is around 50%. MV induces haemorrhagic fever, organ failure, and coagulation issues in both humans and non-human primates [2].This review presents an extensive exploration of MVD and the sources and transmission routes of MV.

Marburg disease is a rare, severe viral haemorrhagic fever, which affects both people and other primates, like apes and monkeys. Caused by infection with orthomarburg viruses, Marburg virus or Ravn virus, the disease can lead to serious illness or death. Symptoms can appear suddenly and may include fever, rash, and severe bleeding.

Orthomarburg viruses are naturally found in the Egyptian rousette bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and can spread from bats to people. Marburg disease is most commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa [1]

The disease progression involves early viral replication impacting immune cells like monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, followed by damage to the spleen, liver, and secondary lymphoid organs. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers MV a high-concern filovirus causing severe and fatal haemorrhagic fever, with a death rate ranging from 24 to 88% [3] No case has been reported in India so far [4]

Signs and Symptoms

  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weakness
  • Headache
  • Muscle and Joint pain
  • Red eyes
  • Sore Throat
  • Rash
  • Stomach Pain
  • diarrhoea
  • Vomit
  • Bloody nose or gums
  • Bloody vomit
  • Bloody Diarrhoea

As the disease advances, symptoms can become more severe, including liver failure, delirium, shock, bleeding (haemorrhaging) and multi-organ dysfunction [5]

How does the Marburg Virus Spread?

The virus spreads when a person is in contact with the body fluids of someone who is sick with or has died from Marburg.

  • Saliva
  • Sweat
  • Blood
  • Fluid around the baby
  • Vomit
  • Diahrrea
  • Urine
  • Semen
  • Breast milk

How long it takes signs to show

People with MD usually start getting sick 2-21 days after they were infected with the virus.

Risk factors

  • People in contact with Egyptian rousette bats or their excretions
  • People caring for individuals sick with Marburg disease without proper protective equipment
  • People in contact with infected non-human primates

Prevention

  • Avoid contact with blood and body fluids of people who are sick.
  • Avoid contact with semen from a person who recovered from Marburg virus disease until testing shows that the virus is gone from their semen.
  • Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s body fluids.
  • Avoid contact with Egyptian rousette bats and non-human primates if in areas where Marburg disease is found [5].

Diagnosis

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
  • IgM-capture ELISA
  • Antigen-capture ELISA testing
  • Virus isolation in high-containment laboratories

Treatment and recovery

Currently, there are no licensed treatments for Marburg disease. Treatment is limited to supportive care. This includes rest, hydration, managing oxygen status and blood pressure, and treatment of secondary infections.

Comparison between Ebola Virus and MVD

The Marburg virus, a genetically unique zoonotic (or animal-borne) RNA virus of the Filoviridae family (filovirus), causes MVD. The six species of Ebola virus are the only other known members of the filovirus family. MARV was classified as a risk group 4 (BSL-4) pathogen. Since Marburg virus and ebolaviruses are both in the same virus family (Filoviridae) it can be assumed that persistence of the MD in other immune privileged sites (placenta, central nervous system) may be similar [4]

Conclusion

MVD is a serious, deadly disease. Between 20–90 percent of people with the disease will die. In CDC is doing to combat Marburg disease, responds to their outbreaks around the globe, provides infection prevention and control guidance, offers confirmatory diagnostic testing and conducts ongoing research to better understand the disease. No case has been reported in India so far.

References

 

D. Suryaprabha

Chief Clinical Pharmacist & Assistant Manager – Clinical Research

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