Pleconeril – A New Drug for Enteroviral Infections

Purpose: This document, authored by Dr. E.G. Dowsett in October 2004, highlights the development of Pleconeril, a promising antiviral drug targeting enteroviral infections. It explores the drug’s mechanism, potential applications, and implications for treating Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and other enterovirus-related diseases.

Key Points:

1. Development and Collaboration
   • Pleconeril was developed through a partnership between Competitive Technologies, Inc., and Professor Harley A. Rotbart, a leading expert in pediatric infectious diseases and epidemiology.
   • The collaboration aims to provide rapid diagnostic services and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and incorrect treatments for children.
2. Understanding Enteroviruses
   • Enteroviruses are a subgroup of Picornaviruses, including polio, Coxsackie A and B viruses, echoviruses, and numbered enteroviruses (EV 68–78).
   • These viruses cause a wide range of diseases, such as polio, myocarditis, meningitis, and juvenile-onset diabetes, often through inflammatory processes.
   • Modern lifestyle changes have disrupted the natural immunity previously established through subclinical infections.
3. Mechanism of Pleconeril
   • Pleconeril is a “capsid-blocking” drug that prevents the virus from entering human cells by targeting the capsid, the virus’s protective coat.
   • The drug fits into the capsid’s chamber, blocking replication and halting the progression of infection.
   • Rapid diagnostic tools like PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) enable early detection and effective use of Pleconeril.
4. Potential Impact on ME and Other Diseases
   • ME is identified as the most common cause of long-term sickness absence in UK schoolchildren, with teachers being the most affected group globally.
   • Pleconeril’s success in neonatal trials could pave the way for treating and preventing enteroviral illnesses, including ME, on a larger scale.
5. Call for Action
   • The document urges UK policymakers to fund similar studies and trials to advance the understanding and treatment of enteroviral diseases.
   • It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between clinical and commercial laboratories to develop vaccines and diagnostic tools.

Target Audience:

• Healthcare Professionals and Researchers: Clinicians and scientists exploring antiviral treatments for enteroviral infections.
• Advocates and Patients: Individuals affected by ME and other enterovirus-related conditions.
• Policymakers and Funders: Decision-makers supporting research and development of innovative antiviral therapies.

Overall Outcome: Pleconeril represents a significant advancement in the fight against enteroviral infections, offering hope for improved diagnostics, treatments, and prevention strategies for diseases like ME.