Viral diseases represent a considerable threat to humans and animals worldwide.
Although vaccination confers protection to a large variety of infectious
agents, the currently most dangerous pathogens are those "emerging" viruses,
such as HIV, SARS and avian flu. The devastating potential of such serious
diseases pressures the development of novel strategies to help reduce
the risk of a pandemic. Recent insights into innate immunity have shed light
upon its crucial role in host protection against infectious agents in both generating
an immediate response against invading pathogens and...