The present invention provides compounds useful in the treatment and
prophylaxis of infection in mammals and avian species by pathogenic
agents such as, but not limited to, viruses. The present invention
further provides compounds useful in the treatment of other disease
conditions such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The present
invention further provides methods for diagnosing infection by pathogenic
organisms and viruses or other disease conditions and agents useful in
diagnostic protocols. The present invention further contemplates methods
for monitoring disease states and providing an indication of the
susceptibility of a subject for infection by a pathogenic organism or
virus or development of other diseased states. In particular, the present
invention enables a determination of whether, including a prediction of
the level of likelihood that, a subject will respond to therapeutic or
prophylactic intervention of an infection or disease condition.