Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access

Abstract

RNA Interference (RNAi) - An antiviral Strategy for Enteroviruses

Eng Lee Tan and Justin Jang Hann Chu

Human enteroviruses are a genus of RNA viruses which affects millions of people worldwide each year. They are associated with wide spectrum of diseases ranging from mild respiratory illness like the common cold, hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) to more severe neurological and cardiac complications which are fatal. Currently, there is no an effective vaccine or specific antiviral treatment to prevent or treat non-polio enteroviral infections. Since its discovery in 1998, RNA interference has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy against infectious diseases. In this review, we focus on the developments of using RNAi to prevent or treat enteroviral infections, highlighting the potential of RNAi as a potential antiviral strategy against enteroviruses.