Viral Drug Delivery Systems: Advances in Treatment of Infectious Diseases

The disability-adjusted life year (DALY) is a measure of health effect used in cost-effectiveness analysis, while infectious diseases are a major cause of significant losses of DALY and QALY. Drug resistance-associated mutations are linked to increasing drug efflux, modifications of the drugs, or their targets, and new drugs are being approved by the FDA to treat infectious diseases. However, infectious diseases will persist as permanent and main threats to humanity for now and in the future, primarily due to increased longevity that almost always comes at a cost of impaired immunity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 409 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

The disability-adjusted life year (DALY) is a comprehensive metric used in cost-effectiveness analysis to assess the health impact of various interventions. It serves as an alternative to the quality-adjusted life year (QALY), providing a more holistic evaluation of health outcomes. Infectious diseases play a significant role in causing substantial losses of DALY and QALY, highlighting their profound impact on human well-being.

Human infectious diseases are disorders triggered by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. These diseases are highly contagious and pose a significant public health threat. Infectious diseases are particularly deadly due to the development of drug resistance over time. Drug resistance-associated mutations lead to increased drug efflux, modifications of drugs, or their targets, making it challenging to effectively treat these diseases.

Despite the approval of new drugs by the FDA each year to combat infectious diseases, these diseases remain permanent and formidable threats to humanity. This is primarily due to the increasing longevity of individuals, often accompanied by impaired immunity. The longevity increase has contributed to a higher prevalence and severity of infectious diseases, making them a significant concern for public health worldwide.

The series of Infectious Drug Diseases encompasses four books that delve into various aspects of infectious disease drug delivery systems. The third volume, in particular, focuses on viral drug delivery systems. Viruses attach to host cells and release their genetic material, either DNA or RNA, which then takes control of the cell and leads to the onset of disease symptoms. DNA-based viruses include herpes, papilloma, and adenoviruses, while RNA-based viruses include retroviruses such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and SARS-CoV-2/Corona virus.

This book specifically addresses the challenges and opportunities in developing effective viral drug delivery systems. It discusses the mechanisms of viral attachment and entry into cells, the viral life cycle, and the development of antiviral therapies. The book also explores innovative drug delivery technologies, such as nanotechnology, gene therapy, and viral vector-based vaccines, that have the potential to improve the treatment and management of infectious diseases.

In conclusion, infectious diseases continue to be a major global health concern, causing significant losses of DALY and QALY. Drug resistance-associated mutations pose a significant challenge to effective treatment, highlighting the need for continuous research and development of new therapies. The series of Infectious Drug Diseases provides valuable insights into viral drug delivery systems and their potential applications in combating infectious diseases.

Weight: 793g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031205361
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023