Method and compositions for isolation, diagnosis and treatment of polyanion-binding microorganisms

Abstract

Methods and compositions for the isolation, diagnosis and treatment of microorganisms such as flaviviruses and other hemorrhagic fever viruses are based on the sulfated polyanion-dependent interaction of flaviviruses and hemorrhagic fever viruses, in particular dengue virus, with target cells. The cellular receptors targeted by these viruses have been identified as sulfated polyanionic glycoproteins, that include highly sulfated heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans for some target cell types, and as a sulfated mucin on vascular endothelium. Compounds such as heparin, highly sulfated heparan sulfate, and synthetic polyanions such as Suramin, inhibit the interaction between the microorganisms and target cells, thereby disrupting the infective process.

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