Marburg virus

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The Marburg virus is the causative agent of Marburg haemorrhagic fever (also known as green monkey disease). Both the disease and virus are related to Ebola and originate in Uganda and Eastern Congo. The zoonosis is of unknown origin, but Egyptian fruit bats are suspected.[1] In the spring of 2005, the virus attracted widespread press attention for an outbreak in Angola.

In September 2007, New Scientist magazine reported[2] that the virus has been found in cave-dwelling African fruit bats in Gabon, the first time the virus has been found outside primates. A team in Uganda is also testing bats in a mine after two miners contracted Marburg in August 2007. Ebola genes (a close relative to Marburg) were found in three species of fruit bats in 2005. The same techniques used to identify those genes were also used to identify Marburg genes found in Egyptian fruit bats, Rousettus aegyptiacus. Marburg antibodies have now been found in healthy bats,[3] suggesting that the bats had been previously infected. Although no-one has yet found complete live viruses from a bat, the team suggest that “[I] think we can be sure that these fruit bats are the reservoir of Marburg virus”.

The viral structure is typical of filoviruses, with long threadlike particles which have a consistent diameter but vary greatly in length from an average of 800 to 14,000 nanometers (nm), with peak infectious activity at about 790 nm. Virions (viral particles) contain seven known structural proteins. While nearly identical to Ebola virus in structure, Marburg virus is antigenically distinct from Ebola virus; in other words, it triggers different antibodies in infected organisms. It was the first filovirus to be identified.

Caregivers require barrier infection control measures including double gloves, impermeable gowns, face shields, eye protection, leg and shoe coverings.

Marburg is a biosafety level-four agent, and thus requiring the highest level of precautions.[4]

There is no specific antiviral therapy indicated for treating Marburg, and hospital care is usually supportive in nature. Hypotension and shock may require early administration of vasopressors and haemodynamic monitoring with attention to fluid and electrolyte balance, circulatory volume, and blood pressure. Viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) patients tend to respond poorly to fluid infusions and may develop pulmonary edema.

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