Helena C. Maltezou

1. Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an enveloped, negative-sense single stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Pneumoviridae family [1]. The virus was first isolated in the Netherlands in 2001 from ...

Despite the availability of a safe and effective measles vaccine for several decades, measles remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, causing 95,000 deaths in 2024 alone. Currently, there is no licensed therapeutic agent against measles, and treatment is only supportive. This is a review of articles published from 2015 to 3 June 2025, on therapeutic agents used or under investigation against measles. Ribavirin has been used in severe measles cases; nevertheless, there are no randomized clinical trials so far. New delivery systems, such as polymer-based formulations and nanoparticles, have markedly increased ribavirin’s efficacy, while cytotoxicity remained low. Viral membrane fusion (F) protein inhibitors and viral RNA polymerase inhibitors are promising next-generation therapeutics against measles and have been tested in animal models with good results. Lastly, interferons (IFNs) are key mediators of the innate immune response against measles, particularly for controlling brain infection. There are few reports indicating that repeated remdesivir courses, as well as intraventricular or intrathecal ribavirin or IFN, may temporarily stabilize the neurologic status of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Intracranial administration of protein F inhibitors also demonstrated promising results in mice. Although several antiviral agents and natural products exhibit in vitro efficacy against measles virus, further research is required to determine their safety, pharmacological properties, and clinical efficacy before they can be considered therapeutic options. Overall, the development of antiviral agents against measles has been extremely slow. Therapeutic agents against measles are urgently needed.

Respiratory viral infections are a leading infectious cause of severe morbidity and mortality with a substantial burden on healthcare systems [1]. According to estimates of the World Health Organis...

Background: The study aimed to estimate susceptibility rates to hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and tetanus among solid waste workers in Greece. Methods: The study was conducted from June 2024 to January 2025 at a company that is responsible for the management of solid waste in Attica. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and tetanus vaccination were self-reported. Serum samples were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and antibodies against the hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV). Results: A total of 219 workers were studied (response rate: 67%). Compared with workers nonexposed to solid waste, exposed workers reported higher vaccination rates against all 3 diseases ( P value P value=0.625). Susceptibility rates to hepatitis A were 51.8% and 67.1% in exposed and nonexposed workers, respectively ( P value=0.04). Susceptibility rates to hepatitis B were 42% in exposed and 51.4% in nonexposed workers ( P value=0.142). Susceptibility to tetanus was 25.9% and 57% among exposed and nonexposed workers ( P value <0.001). The overall susceptibility rates were 57.2% for hepatitis A, 46.9% for hepatitis B, and 37.4% for tetanus. Conclusions: A negligible HBsAg seroprevalence rate was found, which is attributed to the improvement of solid waste management and the use of protective equipment in the past decade. Nevertheless, 57.2% of participating workers were susceptible to hepatitis A, 46.9% to hepatitis B, and 37.4% to tetanus. There is a need for catch-up vaccinations to promote the health of solid waste workers.