biostudies-literatureVigant FNIAID NIH HHS426-37https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4554337biostudies-literatureUnknown13(7)Effective antivirals have been developed against specific viruses, such as HIV, Hepatitis C virus and influenza virus. This 'one bug-one drug' approach to antiviral drug development can be successful, but it may be inadequate for responding to an increasing diversity of viruses that cause significant diseases in humans. The majority of viral pathogens that cause emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are membrane-enveloped viruses, which require the fusion of viral and cell membranes for virus entry. Therefore, antivirals that target the membrane fusion process represent new paradigms for broad-spectrum antiviral discovery. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms responsible for the fusion between virus and cell membranes and explore how broad-spectrum antivirals target this process to prevent virus entry.Nature reviews. MicrobiologyBroad-spectrum antivirals against viral fusion.PMC4554337U54 AI065359U01 AI070495U01 AI082100Lee BVigant FSantos NCfalseBroad-spectrum antivirals against viral fusion.Effective antivirals have been developed against specific viruses, such as HIV, Hepatitis C virus and influenza virus. This 'one bug-one drug' approach to antiviral drug development can be successful, but it may be inadequate for responding to an increasing diversity of viruses that cause significant diseases in humans. The majority of viral pathogens that cause emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are membrane-enveloped viruses, which require the fusion of viral and cell membranes for virus entry. Therefore, antivirals that target the membrane fusion process represent new paradigms for broad-spectrum antiviral discovery. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms responsible for the fusion between virus and cell membranes and explore how broad-spectrum antivirals target this process to prevent virus entry.2015-01-01T00:00:00Z2015 Jul2026-07-07T03:09:14.522Z2026-07-07T03:08:04.545ZS-EPMC45543372607536410.1038/nrmicro3475