The Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals (JAA) paves the way to discovery and development of antiviral drugs, compounds, and clinical methods to prevent viral infections. Importantly, JAA provides the opportunity to inform researchers, clinicians, and others working in the field of antiviral drugs and therapies.
JAA is an internationally recognized journal for scientists involved in basic, applied, and clinical aspects of antiviral and antiretroviral research. It is known that many viruses emerge and re-emerge threatening both animal and human populations. Zoonotic viruses can cause extensive morbidity and mortality; however, preventive vaccines that provide protection are available for only a limited number of viruses.
The primary current therapeutic approach against viral diseases is to target viral components that are essential for replication. There are a number of disadvantages targeting viral components including the limited number of druggable viral targets because viruses have a small genome, as well as the rapid development of drug resistance. New drug therapies combine antivirals to increase efficacy and to avoid the development of drug resistant strains. These strategies are effective for viruses such as HIV, but clearly there is a need to expand our drug arsenal to address the wide diversity of viruses. This pathway relies on alternative strategies for drug discovery, such as examining the virus-host interface.