The antiviral BDGR-49 provides protection from lethal, neurotropic Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus intranasal infection in mice.

ABSTRACT: Venezuelan, western, and eastern equine encephalitis virus (VEEV, WEEV, and EEEV) cause a febrile illness that may result in fatal neurological disease in humans and equines. Human infections are typically from mosquito bites, although cases from respiratory exposure in laboratory accidents have been documented. In addition to natural mosquito-borne infection, the potential biothreat inherent in the ability to disseminate these viruses via the respiratory route has driven the development of antiviral drugs for this route of exposure. To address this gap, we tested the prophylactic administration of a novel brain-penetrant, antiviral, BDGR-49, against a lethal intranasal challenge of VEEV, WEEV, or EEEV in BALB/c mouse model. BDGR-49 conferred 100% protection with 6 mg kg^-1 twice

SUBMITTER: Williams EP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11916738 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature