A new Ebola vaccine has been found to be well-tolerated and stimulate strong immune responses in adults in Mali and the US. The study's findings could offer crucial protection for contacts of patients with confirmed Ebola disease, helping to interrupt transmission.
A new study found that gamma interferon, an FDA-approved drug, completely protects mice from death when given either before or up to 24 hours after exposure to Ebola. The treatment targets macrophages and blocks the infection of those initial cell targets, preventing a second round of infection.
A novel statistical model mapped the spread of the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, providing the most detailed picture to date. The analysis suggests two critical opportunities to control the epidemic and identifies two critical points where intervention could have been more effective.
Researchers designed a giant molecule formed by thirteen fullerenes covered by carbohydrates to block the Ebola virus receptor, inhibiting cell infection. The study highlights the potential of these giant molecules as antiviral agents, paving the way for new treatments.
A rapid-detection Ebola test developed by Dr. Manfred Weidmann has been deployed in Senegal and Guinea, performing exceptionally well under field conditions. The test uses a method called recombinase polymerase amplification and can be stored at room temperature, operated by local teams without the need for confirmatory tests.
A large-scale study reveals the hepatitis A virus is likely of animal origin, with viruses from small mammals showing similarities to the human virus. The discovery offers new perspectives for risk assessments and may hint at a distant ancestry in primordial insect viruses.
The study found that African immigrants experienced discrimination and stigma linked to the Ebola virus, leading to stress and hardships. The researchers emphasize the need for research on infectious diseases affecting immigrant communities in the US.
Researchers at Penn University discovered that inhibiting a calcium-signaling pathway can block the Ebola virus from exiting host cells and spreading, paving the way for potential broad-spectrum therapy. This approach has implications for treating multiple serious viral infections, including Marburg, Lassa, and Junin viruses.
Researchers at UTMB created a novel, Eilat virus-based diagnostic test that can diagnose chikungunya in under two hours and is more affordable than existing tests. The test uses the structural proteins of the Eilat virus to mimic the chikungunya virus without replicating in humans.
Researchers at Hiroshima University discovered that Sendai virus C protein inhibits STAT1 activation after interferon stimulation, enabling the virus to evade the host immune response. This finding opens up new avenues for developing anti-viral drugs to overcome damage caused by interferons.
A suspected case of sexual Ebola transmission was confirmed using genomic analysis, providing evidence of direct transmission between an EVD survivor and his partner. The study also shows the persistence of infectious EBOV in semen for over 179 days after disease onset.
Researchers estimate that introducing Ebola treatment beds prevented an estimated 57,000 Ebola cases and 40,000 deaths in Sierra Leone. The study suggests that this could have been reduced further if the beds were introduced one month earlier.
A new antiviral compound, GS-5734, has shown 100% survival rate and significant reduction in viral load in infected rhesus monkeys. The compound's ability to block the virus's replication process suggests its potential as a treatment for Ebola virus disease.
Researchers found that infected cells in breast tissues could transmit the influenza virus from mothers to breast-feeding infants and vice versa using a ferret model. The study also showed that mammary glands can harbor live influenza virus and produce it in milk.
James Munro of Tufts University School of Medicine has received the NIH Director's New Innovator Award to develop a new way to use single molecule imaging of Ebola glycoproteins. This research aims to inform the design of structure-based vaccines to fight the spread of Ebola.
The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) has been awarded a $20 million CDC grant to expand its efforts in preventing another Ebola outbreak in Liberia. The two-year grant will support training of healthcare workers, improvement of public health laboratory systems and hospital diagnostic services.
Researchers have identified a virus-drug combination that shows improved effectiveness against brain tumor cells, specifically glioblastoma. The combination of the myxoma virus and certain existing drugs, such as axitinib, reduces tumor-initiating cell viability by 20% or more.
The University of Illinois at Chicago has been chosen as one of six research centers in the US to combat emerging infectious diseases. Researchers will study how healthcare workers can care for patients without putting themselves at risk, addressing concerns about Ebola and other diseases.
Recent developments in surveillance technology could enable a swifter response to potentially deadly outbreaks of disease. A team of infectious disease experts found that shortcomings in the global response to Ebola highlight the need for state-of-the-art techniques to detect and monitor outbreaks.
A UK university team has received funding to develop a training program for Sierra Leonean health workers to combat viral hemorrhagic fever. The program will use immersive technology to educate community health workers and healthcare professionals on infection prevention control.
Researchers developed a real-time DNA sequencing test that can detect multiple pathogens, including Ebola, Chikungunya, and hepatitis C, using nanopore sequencing technology. The test can be used in scarce lab environments and provides rapid results, cutting the time required for diagnosis to just minutes.
A team at University of California - Santa Cruz developed chip-based technology for reliable Ebola detection, combining microfluidic and optofluidic chips. The system achieved comparable sensitivity to PCR analysis with excellent specificity.
Genetic mutations in Ebola virus appear to block antibody-based treatments from warding off infection. The mutations, or 'escape variants,' have implications for the continued development of therapeutics to treat Ebola virus disease, which has claimed over 11,000 lives in West Africa.
Researchers mapped social vulnerability at the district level, identifying three clusters of most vulnerable districts containing over 1 million people. The study highlights the importance of addressing water quality, food insecurity, and access to medical care to prevent Ebola infections and deaths.
A new Ebola test using magnetic nanoparticles is 100 times more sensitive than current tests and easier to use, enabling faster isolation of patients and prevention of disease spread. This technology has potential applications in diagnosing other infectious diseases like flu and detecting tumors.
A survey of primary care physicians found significant variation in how doctors make decisions in situations of uncertainty, with those least likely to encounter Ebola patients being most likely to choose overly intense management. The results highlight the need for additional resources and responsible reporting by news media.
A team of researchers from Pitt, Drexel, and NIH found that the Ebola virus can survive in detectable concentrations in wastewater for at least a week or longer. The study suggests that procedures for disposing of contaminated liquid waste might underestimate the virus' ability to persist.
A case-series of eight British healthcare workers who received antiviral-based therapies after possible accidental exposure to Ebola virus in Sierra Leone did not develop the disease. The study suggests that post-exposure prophylaxis may be effective in preventing Ebola infection, and authors call for standardised guidelines to be deve...
The discovery sheds light on how the virus evolved and spread across West Africa, revealing that most cases are caused by spillover infections from wild rodents to humans.
A $7 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supports research to eliminate river blindness and elephantiasis, two neglected tropical diseases affecting millions. Researchers will conduct field projects in eight countries and resuming a project suspended due to Ebola.
Researchers found that Ebola and Marburg viruses use G protein-coupled receptors to enter cells, which can be blocked by existing drugs targeting these receptors. The study identified 20 GPCR antagonists effective against the two viruses, paving the way for potential therapeutics.
A preclinical study found that a new Ebola vaccine, VSV-EBOV, provides complete protection against the disease when given 7 days before infection in macaques. The vaccine also induces a strong innate immune response, helping to limit virus replication and eventually clearing the virus.
A single dose of the experimental Ebola virus (EBOV) vaccine VSV-EBOV has been shown to completely protect cynomolgus macaques against the current EBOV outbreak strain, EBOV-Makona. The vaccine triggers both innate and adaptive immunity, providing partial protection if given three days prior to exposure.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reports that an experimental compound, AVI-7288, protected nonhuman primates against the deadly Marburg virus. The compound showed efficacy even when administered after exposure to the virus. Phase I clinical trial results also indicated safety and tolerability.
The Chicago Ebola Resource Network (CERN) shares expertise, resources, and risk to anticipate and respond to Black Swan events. Collaborative efforts among academic medical centers and public health leaders resulted in efficient programs with reduced disruption to routine patient care.
The Oxford Vaccine Group is conducting a Phase II study of an Ebola vaccine regimen, recruiting over 600 healthy adult volunteers in the UK and France. The study aims to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine, as well as determine the best timing for each dose.
A clinical trial testing an Ebola vaccine developed on a new cell line is underway in Senegal, aiming to provide a rapid response to outbreaks. The trial uses two vaccines, ChAd3-EBO Z and MVA-EBO Z, which have shown excellent safety profiles and promise for low-cost mass production.
A collaborative team from UTMB and NIH develop an inhalable vaccine that protects primates against Ebola. The aerosol delivery method has shown promising results, with a single vaccination providing protection against the severe disease and death caused by lethal Ebola infection.
The latest Ebola outbreak is the largest, most sustained, and most widespread to date, with several potential treatments undergoing clinical trials. Dr. Ali Mirazimi notes that emerging infectious diseases will continue to challenge global health.
Singapore researchers have identified specific molecular interactions in the dengue virus genome that allow it to manipulate human immune defenses and spread more efficiently. These genetic changes increase the virus's capacity for epidemic outbreaks, highlighting the need for targeted surveillance and response strategies.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute identify new immune molecules that protect against deadly Marburg virus, a relative of Ebola virus. The study provides ingredients needed to develop treatments for future Marburg outbreaks.
A new point-of-care EVD test has been shown to be faster and as sensitive as a conventional laboratory-based method, detecting the virus in just a small drop of blood. The rapid diagnostic test could help identify case contacts and ultimately curb Ebola's spread by quickly confirming or ruling out cases.
A new study by TSRI researchers provides a higher-resolution view of the Ebola virus life cycle, revealing key vulnerabilities that can be targeted with antiviral therapeutics. The findings also shed light on how the virus assembles its genetic material, which is critical for understanding its structure-based design.
A new rapid diagnostic test has been shown to accurately diagnose Ebola virus disease within minutes, revolutionizing treatment and containment. The test's sensitivity and specificity rates are comparable to laboratory-based methods, offering a promising solution to the challenges of early diagnosis and timely intervention.
Scientists at the Institut Pasteur sequenced three distinct Ebola virus variants co-circulating in Guinea, with each variant defined by unique mutations affecting viral proteins. The study highlights the genetic diversity of the viruses circulating in Guinea during the epidemic's spread and will aid in optimizing treatments and vaccines.
Researchers report that statins and angiotensin receptor blockers, commonly used for heart disease, can stabilize endothelial cells lining blood vessels in Ebola patients. This approach may improve survival rates in infected individuals by bolstering the immune system.
Engineers at Lehigh University are developing stochastic models to study the dynamics of Ebola virus infection in bats and its potential human transmission. The goal is to quantify the risk associated with the virus's spread and provide a basis for resource allocation and epidemic response strategies.
A global team has sequenced over 200 Ebola virus genomes to capture the fullest picture yet of how the virus is transmitted and changes over time. The study reveals that cross-border transmission played a smaller role in the outbreak than previously thought, and that the virus has begun to weed out mutations that do not benefit it.
A new study in Liberia will investigate the long-term health consequences of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in survivors, determining if they develop immunity that protects them from future infection. The study will also assess whether previously EVD-infected individuals can transmit infection to close contacts and sexual partners.
The world invested more than $200 billion to improve health in lower-income countries between 2000 and 2014. Despite a significant increase in funding after the Millennium Development Goals were established, global health financing stagnated between 2010 and 2014.
Researchers found that news media created public panic during the 2014 U.S. Ebola outbreak, with tweets and Google searches peaking in response to news clips. The study used social media data to show how news media manipulated public emotions, highlighting its potential impact on future outbreaks.
A new study by NIH researchers compares the Makona strain of Ebola virus to the original 1976 Mayinga strain, revealing a decreased ability to cause disease in West Africa, with liver damage and rash appearing two days later than in the 1976 strain.
Researchers analyzed over 42,000 Ebola-related tweets to show how Twitter was used to share breaking health news in West Africa. The study found that Twitter played a crucial role in disseminating information about the outbreak, particularly in the days leading up to official announcements.
Researchers have identified Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) as a critical protein for the Ebola virus to infect a host, providing a new target for drug development. Blocking NPC1 could lead to effective treatments for this deadly disease.
Scientists discovered the molecular lock of Ebola virus's cellular entry, which could lead to the development of antiviral drugs blocking its interaction with Niemann-Pick C1. The study found mice lacking NPC1 gene were completely resistant to infection, suggesting a potential treatment for Ebola.
Researchers have discovered a promising new treatment for Ebola by screening compounds from existing malaria and flu drugs. The treatment showed a high success rate of up to 90% in treating infected mice with no observable side effects.
A team of researchers, led by Dr. Steve Bellan and including Associate Professor Manoj Gambhir from Monash University, have identified the most effective human trial design for testing Ebola vaccines in Sierra Leone. The study suggests that a modified randomized control trial is the best approach to detect an effective and safe vaccine.
A new genomics laboratory in Liberia enables fast tracking of Ebola virus changes, which could impact diagnostics and therapeutics. The lab provides critical viral genomic information to support public health efforts.
FAU researchers have received a NSF Rapid Response Grant to create an innovative model of Ebola spread using big data analytics. The program will use Twitter feeds, Facebook, and Google data to track the spread of the virus and create predictive diffusion models.
Scientists at the University of Montreal discover that a protein in the Rift Valley fever virus mimics human DNA repair factors, making it vulnerable to drug therapy. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for deadly tropical infections such as Ebola.