Uppala PK, Karanam SK, Kandra NV, Edhi S. Marburg virus disease: Emerging threat, pathogenesis, and global public health strategies. World J Virol 2025; 14(2): 103576 [DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v14.i2.103576]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Praveen Kumar Uppala, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Maharajah's College of Pharmacy, Phool Baugh, Vizianagaram 535002, Andhra Pradesh, India. praveen.chintu32@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Virology
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Praveen Kumar Uppala, Department of Pharmacology, Maharajah's College of Pharmacy, Vizianagaram 535002, Andhra Pradesh, India
Sita Kumari Karanam, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Maharajah’s College of Pharmacy, Vizianagaram 535002, Andhra Pradesh, India
Naga Vishnu Kandra, Department of Pharmacology, Santhiram Medical College and General Hospital, Nandyal 518501, Andhra Pradesh, India
Sandhya Edhi, Andhra University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Visakhapatnam 530003, Andhra Pradesh, India
Author contributions: Uppala PK was responsible for design of the study, drafting the article, the conception, acquisition of the data, and analysis interpretation of the data; Karanam SK was responsible for revising it critically for important intellectual content and manuscript final review; Kandra NV was responsible for design and literature search; Edhi S was responsible for concept, design of the study acquisition of the data, and analysis; all of the authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Praveen Kumar Uppala, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Maharajah's College of Pharmacy, Phool Baugh, Vizianagaram 535002, Andhra Pradesh, India. praveen.chintu32@gmail.com
Received: November 25, 2024 Revised: February 26, 2025 Accepted: March 6, 2025 Published online: June 25, 2025 Processing time: 211 Days and 22.7 Hours
Abstract
The Marburg virus (MARV) is a dangerous infection that causes a deadly sickness known as MARV disease. This severe hemorrhagic fever is a major concern for people all over the world. Since the initial identification in 1967 during simultaneous outbreaks in Germany and Serbia, MARV has caused recurrent epidemics predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa with fatality rates ranging from 24% to 90% as a result of differences in virus strains, healthcare infrastructure, and the quality of patient treatment. Like Ebola virus, MARV causes a viral hemorrhagic fever identified in some of the same principles of clinical and epidemiological concern. However, MARV has unique biologic characteristics that require specialized research and response by public health and among researchers. Diagnosis relies on molecular tools such as real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as well as clinical and epidemiological assessments. Despite advancements in understanding MARV biology, no vaccines or antiviral therapies have been approved, with treatment limited to supportive care. Experimental therapeutics, monoclonal antibodies, RNA-based drugs, and adenovirus-based vaccines, show promise but require further validation. Current efforts in outbreak containment include surveillance, rapid diagnostics, case isolation, and safe burial practices. However, gaps in understanding MARV pathogenesis, limited diagnostic tools, and the absence of regulatory-approved vaccines underscore the urgent need for global collaboration and investment in research. Bridging these gaps is critical to mitigating the public health impact of MARV, ensuring effective response strategies for future outbreaks.
Core Tip: Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly fatal haemorrhagic fever with no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments. This review highlights the epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis, and current diagnostic challenges of MVD. Recent advancements in molecular diagnostics, experimental therapeutics, and vaccine candidates such as cAd3-Marburg and Mvabea (MVA-BN-Filo) are discussed, emphasizing the urgent need for clinical validation. Strengthening global surveillance, rapid outbreak response, and international collaboration is critical to mitigating future epidemics. This review underscores the necessity for increased research investment to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies for this deadly virus.
