Inhibitors of long and very long chain fatty acid metabolism as broad spectrum anti-virals

A method of treating or preventing viral infection in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammalian subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits a long chain fatty acid synthesis enzyme, wherein the virus is human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and the agent is a compound of Formula VIII

• wherein R1 is selected from H, unsubstituted phenyl;
• substituted phenyl where substitutents are selected from F, Me, Et, Cl, OMe, OCF3 and CF3;
• C1-6 alkyl;
• and C3-6 cycloalkyl;
• wherein R3 and R4 are independently selected from H;
• C1-3 alkyl;
• and phenyl;
• or R3 and R4 taken together form a cycloalkyl of formula —(CH2)n— where n=2, 3, 4 and 5;
• wherein R5 is selected from methyl;
• CF3;
• cyclopropyl;
• unsubstituted phenyl;
• mono- and disubstituted phenyl where substitutents are selected from F, Me, Et, CN, iPr, Cl, OMe, OPh, OCF3, and CF3;
• unsubstituted heteroaromatic group;
• and imidazole;
• or prodrug thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester of said compound or prodrug thereof.