A study published in Scientific Reports predicts that less than 20% of endangered mountain gorillas would survive more than 100 days past the first confirmed case of Ebola infection. Vaccination strategies are suggested to increase survival rates, with at least half of habituated gorillas vaccinated within three weeks of confirmation.
A Yale study found that the tick-borne Powassan virus is being transmitted in concentrated community clusters throughout New England. The research reconstructed the history of Powassan in the region and estimated when branches of the virus's 'family tree' diverged, piecing together its evolution and spread.
School of Veterinary Medicine researchers have identified a cellular pathway that hampers the Ebola virus' ability to exit human cells. By targeting the protein VP40, host cells activate autophagy, a process that digests and recycles proteins, reducing viral particle release into the bloodstream.
A new NIH-developed vaccine, VSV-SUDV, has been shown to completely protect cynomolgus macaques against a lethal Sudan virus challenge. The vaccine, based on the Ebola VSV vaccine concept, demonstrates cross-protective immune responses and provides rapid protective immunity to Sudan virus.
An experimental vaccine against Marburg virus demonstrated a good safety profile and induced strong, long-lasting immunity in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The vaccine candidate, cAd3-Marburg, induced an immune response in 95% of participants and maintained that response for over 48 weeks.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered the detailed mechanism of action of Inmazeb, a three-antibody cocktail designed to combat Ebola virus infection. The study reveals new information about how the drug interacts with the virus and its potential effectiveness against additional species of Ebolavirus.
Texas Biomed is at the forefront of developing a Sudan ebolavirus vaccine and antibody therapeutic to combat the ongoing outbreak in Uganda. The Institute has been awarded millions of dollars in contracts to run studies required for FDA approval, utilizing its BSL-4 laboratory facilities.
The Ebola vaccine trials found all three regimens safe in both age groups, with antibody responses detectable for one year. The study enrolled over 3,100 volunteers in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali.
A large-scale randomized clinical trial confirms the safety of three Ebola vaccine regimens, inducing an immune response that persists for up to 12 months. The study suggests that vaccines can be a crucial tool in fighting the spread of the disease in sub-Saharan African countries.
Researchers have developed a new approach to stopping viral infections using a live-attenuated DNA virus vaccine. The method employs centanamycin to generate an altered virus that can't reproduce inside cells, stimulating the host's immune system to recognize and eliminate the invading virus particles.
Researchers identified specific monkeypox mutations that contribute to its continued infectiousness. The virus is accumulating mutations where drugs and antibodies from vaccines are supposed to bind, making it smarter and more infectious.
Scientists have detected monkeypox virus in the testes of macaques during acute infection and found preliminary evidence of persistent infection in two convalescent animals. The study highlights the potential for sexual transmission of the virus in humans, particularly in convalescent male patients.
A new University of Colorado Boulder research warns that an obscure family of viruses in wild African primates may jump to humans, causing disease. The study focuses on simian arteriviruses, which have caused Ebola-like symptoms in monkeys and may attack immune cells like HIV.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered how Zika virus forces dendritic cells to churn out lipid molecules, allowing the virus to build copies of itself. This study provides a major step forward in developing antiviral therapies against multiple flavivirus infections.
Using human stem cells, researchers investigated how the Ebola virus infects and damages the liver. The study found that major liver cell functions are compromised by Ebola virus infection and that the virus evades an early antiviral response, allowing it to replicate and cause damage.
Researchers have created a stem cell-based model of the human liver, allowing for the study of how Ebola virus infects liver cells. The infected cultures showed that viral infection directly disrupts liver function, while immune cells can transfer the virus to other cells.
A new study from Lehigh University found that social, economic, and demographic factors can predict an individual's propensity to engage in high-risk behaviors that expose them to Ebola spillover. The research identified young adults and those with agricultural jobs as the most at risk populations.
The Midwest Antiviral Drug Discovery Center, led by the University of Minnesota, aims to discover effective responses to pandemics through basic, translational, and clinical research. Researchers at UIC are developing an antiviral therapy for filoviruses like Ebola with a potential drug ready for human testing within three to five years.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have identified a critical protein, GSPT1, that facilitates Lassa virus infection. Targeting this protein with an existing drug candidate, CC-90009, shows promise in reducing Lassa virus growth without cell toxicity.
Researchers discovered a molecular switch in flavivirus that controls virus assembly, maturation, and entry into new cells. This switch is triggered by pH-dependent conformational changes in viral envelope proteins.
Researchers found that retinal cells are more susceptible to Ebola virus infection than iris cells, which could lead to uveitis diagnosis and treatment. This discovery highlights the importance of monitoring retinal cells during acute viral infections to identify patients at high risk.
Researchers have developed a new tool that can quickly identify the presence of Ebola virus in blood samples, potentially leading to faster diagnosis and better outcomes. The technology uses optical microring resonators to detect tiny amounts of Ebola-related molecules at low levels.
Researchers developed a fluorogenic probe that binds to the promoter region of influenza A virus RNA, creating a significant light-up response to identify its presence. This technique has shown promise for detecting influenza A more easily and may lead to the development of new antiviral drugs.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that blocking the enzyme polymerase reduces the virus's ability to multiply. This discovery exposes an Achilles' heel that could be targeted with a therapeutic. Polymerase is a key tool for DNA replication and repair, making the virus vulnerable to disruption.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered a Zika virus mutation that boosts its ability to replicate and infect humans. This mutation allows the virus to evade protective immunity from previous dengue exposure, increasing its transmission potential.
Scientists have discovered a promising strategy to treat Ebola virus infections by targeting cellular protein GSPT1, which the virus hijacks for polymerase function. An experimental drug CC-90009 degrades GSPT1, halting viral multiplication.
A recent Cornell University study reveals that white-tailed deer can shed and transmit the COVID-19 virus for up to five days following infection. The virus replicates in the deer's respiratory tract, lymphoid tissues, and central nervous system, making them a potential reservoir for the virus in nature.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have developed two human antibodies that target Ebola virus and Sudan virus, showing promise for a powerful antiviral therapy. The antibodies, 1C3 and 1C11, can block three glycoprotein sites on the virus at once and target the fusion machinery used by the viruses to infect host cells.
Researchers analyzed horse samples to understand hepatitis C virus tactics and found a region called hypervariable that changes quickly, protecting the virus from host cells. This study may provide a powerful model for gaining insights into hepaciviral evolution and immune evasion.
A groundbreaking study reveals that Ebola virus can hide in the brain ventricular system and cause fatal disease even after treatment. Persistent infection was found in about 20% of monkeys treated with antibody therapeutics, highlighting the need for long-term follow-up of survivors.
Researchers have developed a novel method for detecting viruses like Ebola and SARS CoV-2 using simple, inexpensive, and fast nano-sensors. The Nano2RED technology provides 10 times better sensitivity than existing ELISA tests and can be produced at a cost of around 1 cent per test.
Infection with measles virus triggers the activation of both RNA and DNA virus immune responses. The virus affects mitochondrial growth and division, causing their fusion and release of mitochondrial DNA into the cytoplasm. This leads to the activation of the cGAS immune response, which is also triggered by DNA viruses.
A novel nairovirus, Yezo virus, has been identified in Japan causing a disease characterized by fever and reduced blood platelets and leucocytes. The virus is transmitted through tick bites and has been linked to at least seven human infections since 2014.
Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation called retroCHMP3 that can block the replication of certain viruses like HIV and Ebola by disrupting their ability to exit an infected cell. This finding has the potential to lead to the development of new medical interventions against these deadly diseases.
A new study found that people infected with COVID-19 exhale infectious virus in their breath, putting others at risk. Using tight-fitting masks can reduce the amount of virus in the air by half.
A two-dose Ebola vaccine regimen has been found to be safe, well-tolerated, and produce a strong immune response in people over 1 year old. The study also supports the use of this regimen for Ebola virus disease prevention in children and adults.
A study published in The EMBO Journal identified several host proteins that interact with the Ebola virus protein VP30, inhibiting viral transcription and replication. These findings suggest a novel target for preventing Ebola virus infection, providing potential new therapeutic strategies.
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine reports on the protection offered by Ebola vaccines. The research found that different vaccine platforms conferred varying levels of protection, with RBD-specific antibodies and Fc-mediated immune functions playing key roles.
A Mount Sinai study reveals the complex mechanisms of Ebola virus evasion, highlighting the critical role of VP24 protein in disrupting the nuclear envelope. This disruption compromises cell function, DNA leakage, and antiviral immunity, ultimately contributing to disease severity.
Researchers at Penn State designed a synthetic defective SARS-CoV-2 virus that interferes with the real virus's growth, potentially causing its extinction. The therapeutic may be used as a self-promoting antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered how Ebola virus evades the immune system by targeting the STAT3 protein. The virus uses a protein called VP24 to disable STAT3's messenger function, which is critical for regulating host immune and inflammatory responses.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute are receiving NIH funding to investigate the precise mechanisms of Ebola virus infection, including its ability to hijack immune cells called macrophages. The study aims to understand how the virus spreads in the body and potentially develops targeted treatments.
Researchers created high-resolution maps of the virus using cryogenic electron microscopy and custom software. The 3D image revealed that an antibody binding site on CPV significantly overlapped its receptor binding site, allowing antibodies to block virus attachment and neutralize infection.
Researchers at Scripps Research have unveiled an innovative Ebola virus vaccine design that stimulates a better protective immune response. The new approach involves tethering copies of the Ebola virus outer spike protein to a spherical carrier particle, resulting in a more stable and realistic-looking virus particle.
Researchers at UTMB will investigate Ebola infections in human cell culture and nonhuman primates, with the goal of developing new insights into prevention and treatment. The $11.3M grant will also support the development of sophisticated models using 'big data' to predict infection outcomes.
Researchers develop a novel antiviral targeting Marburg virus, blocking its departure from infected cells. Preliminary results also show potential against SARS-CoV-2, with ongoing studies underway.
Researchers develop a new sensor that can detect Ebola in a single drop of blood and provide results in just an hour. The technology also shows promise for detecting COVID-19 and other viruses.
Scientists at Scripps Research have discovered how some antibodies can broadly neutralize ebolaviruses by targeting a key site on the virus called the glycan cap. This breakthrough may lead to the development of an antibody-based treatment that can save lives against a range of ebolavirus species.
A new study reveals how Ebola virus's VP40 protein uses human mRNA to transform into different shapes, adapting to various functions. This discovery sheds light on the fundamentals of genome-encoded information and highlights VP40 as a key vulnerability for effective therapies.
A new diagnostic test, called the D4-assay, has been developed to detect Ebola virus infection earlier than the current industry standard PCR test. The test is highly sensitive and can detect the virus a full day earlier than PCR, making it a promising tool in addressing ongoing outbreaks.
A new study published in Nature Communications shows that combining monoclonal antibodies and remdesivir is effective in treating advanced Marburg virus disease. The combination therapy demonstrated an 80% protection rate against the lethal virus, offering promise for treatment of advanced infections.
Researchers found that tilorone, quinacrine, and pyronaridine effectively prevent SARS-CoV-2 replication in human-derived cell lines. The compounds showed mixed results against other viruses, highlighting the need for testing across multiple cell lines.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology have discovered how antibodies recognize and block the Zika virus. The study found that antibodies produced in response to Zika virus are effective against other flaviviruses like dengue type 1, but less effective against West Nile and other types of dengue.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens identified a key pathway that Ebola uses to gain entry into human cells. The researchers found that a specific FDA-approved drug can prevent the virus from using this pathway, potentially leading to new treatment options for Ebola patients.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a second site on the filovirus glycoprotein that small drug molecules can bind to prevent infection. This finding holds promise for developing effective treatments for Ebola and Marburg viruses, which cause hemorrhagic fever with mortality rates ranging from 25% to 90%.
A study found that over half of Ebola survivors experienced a rapid increase in antibody levels around 200 days after recovery, followed by decline, indicating potential long-term virus persistence.
A team of researchers used Stampede2 and Bridges simulations to analyze the stability of the Ebola virus's nucleocapsid, a protein shell that protects its genetic material. The study found that RNA helps stabilize the nucleocapsid through electrostatic interactions with its nucleoproteins, providing potential targets for new therapeutics.
Researchers have developed a new technique called VIRIM that allows for real-time imaging of virus infections, enabling the tracking of viral replication and protein production. This breakthrough could lead to more targeted treatments for viral infections, such as SARS-CoV-2.
New drug compounds have been discovered that disrupt the functioning of a protein complex inside human cells, which is critical for coronavirus replication and survival. The compounds target viruses such as influenza, Ebola, and coronaviruses, showing broad-spectrum antiviral activity.
Researchers found Ebola virus antibodies in 10% of patients seeking care in the year before the 2018 outbreak, highlighting potential for more frequent exposure. Women were significantly more likely to be exposed, consistent with other studies.