Review of the Effects of Favipiravir on Filoviruses

Abstract

Objective: a review of current studies on the efficacy of favipiravir as a treatment option for Ebola and Marburg viruses. Methods: Studies were gathered from several sources, including PubMed, JSTOR, and Science Direct. The search was limited to experiments that tested the effectiveness of favipiravir as a form of treatment for filoviruses. Results: Favipiravir worked to repress viral replication and mortality rates associated with filoviruses. The small animal models showed a strong correlation between favipiravir treatment and reduction in overall mortality rate. Non-human primate models and the single human trial’s results were less clear and showed lower survival rates than small animal models. Conclusion: Favipiravir was shown to be a strong possibility for treatment of filoviruses such as Ebola and Marburg viruses. However, more research is needed to fully understand how favipiravir not only influences filoviruses, but also its impact on the human body.