Clinicopathologic features of viral agents of potential use by bioterrorists

Abstract

Concerns regarding the possible use of viral agents as weapons of mass destruction have heightened our need to recognize disease syndromes caused by these pathogens and to increase our understanding of potential countermeasures. This article reviews the clinical and pathologic features of various viruses that are generally thought to be potential biowarfare threats, and other related agents of topical interest. The epidemiologic and clinical aspects of recent natural outbreaks of disease caused by exotic viral agents are briefly described. Viral tissue targets, immune responses to these agents, relevant animal models, and diagnostic and potential therapeutic modalities also are discussed.