A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that prior infection with either Zika virus or dengue virus has no apparent effect on the clinical course of subsequent infection with the other virus. This is a significant finding for the development of vaccines against both viruses.
A study of 21 macaque monkeys found that primary and secondary infections with Zika virus did not amplify symptoms, contradicting previous tissue culture and mouse findings. The study suggests that combining a Zika vaccine with a dengue vaccine may be necessary to prevent enhancement of either virus.
Research finds that general fear orientation, trust in government, and perceived exposure likelihood significantly influence vaccination willingness. The study's findings suggest that social factors play a crucial role in shaping public health responses to infectious diseases.
Researchers estimate that at least half of Ebola outbreaks have gone undetected, resulting in hundreds of potential cases. The study highlights the need for improved detection and rapid response to prevent small outbreaks from growing into larger events.
A new study estimates that half of all Ebola outbreaks have gone undetected since the virus was discovered in 1976. The research highlights the need for improved detection and rapid response to prevent future epidemics.
Researchers found that CD8+ T cells retain protective functions despite sustained inhibitory receptor expression during Epstein-Barr virus infection. Blocking the PD-1 pathway leads to specific defects in controlling the virus and increases tumor formation.
Researchers found that Ebola survivors developed high levels of neutralizing antibodies months after recovery, which could inform the design of antiviral therapies and vaccines. The study's findings have implications for understanding immune protection after vaccination and developing effective treatments.
Researchers have generated two antibodies that potentially could be used in a simple filter paper test to detect Ebola virus. The study, published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, marks a breakthrough in diagnosing Ebola and Marburg viruses, which can cause severe bleeding and organ failure with high fatality rates.
Researchers have identified a new strain of canine distemper virus in wild animals in New Hampshire and Vermont, which is highly contagious to domesticated dogs. The virus has been found in eight infected mammals, including gray foxes, raccoons, and skunks, and is significantly distinct from vaccine strains.
A RIT professor developed a microfluidic device that detects the Ebola virus using CRISPR gene-editing technology, allowing for early treatment and potential outbreak control. The device can detect the virus within five minutes of combining automated sample processing and fluorescence sensing.
Researchers from the University of Kent have found that a newly discovered Ebolavirus, known as Bombali, is unlikely to cause severe disease in humans. The study compared amino acid sequences of virus proteins and identified positions that determine whether a virus causes disease in humans.
Researchers found that Ebola survivors exhibit memory immune responses, including specific T cells against the virus, persisting over 2 years after infection. These findings could help develop more effective vaccines by boosting key immune cells needed for long-lasting protective immunity.
The New England Journal of Medicine advocates for standardized care in treating Ebola patients. Recent innovations, such as the Cube System, offer improved patient-centered care through continuous observation and accessibility.
Researchers at UTMB are developing rapid-acting vaccines and broad-spectrum treatments for Ebola and Marburg, two highly-lethal hemorrhagic fever viruses considered Tier 1 pathogens. The $35M NIH grant will support the creation of new vaccines and treatments to address high mortality rates ranging from 50-90%.
The Prometheus Center for Excellence in Translational Research aims to develop antibody-based therapies against four highly lethal viruses with no approved vaccines or treatments. The project will leverage existing research on ebolavirus and apply it to other emerging viruses, focusing on virus transmission from animals to humans.
The US FDA has approved the use of a rhesus macaque model to support the development of remdesivir, an investigational antiviral agent for treating Ebola virus infections. The study provides a framework for developing Ebola therapeutics under animal rule.
A survey of nearly 1,000 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo found that low public trust during the 2018 Ebola outbreak led to lower vaccination rates and increased refusal to seek care. Higher trust was linked to greater willingness to accept vaccination and seek medical attention.
Researchers have developed a simple model to understand the biomechanics of Ebola virus-host cell adhesion, which is essential for guiding the development of therapies. The model characterizes the interaction between the virus and cell surface receptors, providing new information on the road to developing an effective Ebola treatment.
Researchers found Ebola survivors in Liberia had higher rates of uveitis, muscle pain, fatigue, and joint pain compared to a control group. Physical exams also revealed abnormal findings in abdominal, chest, and neurologic areas.
A new pan-filovirus T-cell vaccine has been developed to protect against multiple filovirus species, including Ebola and Marburg. The vaccine induces killer T cells against conserved regions of inner filovirus proteins, offering potential protection against other known and unknown viruses in the filovirus family.
Researchers analyzed blood samples collected between March 2016 and June 2017, identifying 40 samples positive for Chikungunya virus. The study suggests the virus may have circulated as early as 2012 and was likely imported from Central Africa.
Researchers have discovered that bat influenza viruses can infect humans and livestock by using the MHC-II molecule to enter host cells. This finding suggests that these viruses have the potential to cause zoonotic transmission, leading to serious illnesses and deaths.
A new study found that genetic diversity is key to helping frogs survive the deadly Ranavirus disease. The research showed that a specific combination of immune genes can help tadpoles limit the severity of the virus. This finding has implications for frog species in Florida, which are threatened by the disease.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from Ebola patients in Sierra Leone to understand the progression of the disease and potential treatments. The study identified a critical role for choline and microvesicles in the virus's progression, with survivors showing higher levels of phosphatidylcholines and healthy individuals having lower PS...
Researchers at Mount Sinai found that dengue virus infection can enhance the severity of Zika virus infection during pregnancy, leading to increased placental damage, fetal growth restriction, and fetal resorption. This mechanism may explain the high rate of microcephaly and birth defects observed in recent Zika outbreaks.
Researchers at MUSC created an online software package to train health care workers using simulation in safe Ebola disease response, increasing knowledge of effective prevention by up to 19% and reducing critical errors. The program aims to reduce the number of critical errors and risky actions committed when treating an Ebola patient.
Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have discovered that flaviviruses reproduce in specific locations within tick salivary gland cultures. This finding could explain why virus transmission occurs so quickly, and may help identify transmission pathways that can be blocked with a countermeasure.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is underway at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center to test two experimental Ebola vaccines, ChAd3-EBO-Z and MVA-BN-Filo, for their safety and ability to produce an immune response. The trial aims to enroll up to 60 healthy volunteers between 18-45 years of age.
Researchers found genetic material and antibodies from the virus in a Greater Long-fingered bat in Liberia's Nimba District. The discovery adds to evidence suggesting bats serve as natural wildlife reservoirs for Ebola and other related viruses, shedding light on how outbreaks occur.
An investigational monoclonal antibody, mAb114, has been found to be safe and well-tolerated in an early-stage clinical trial involving adults. The treatment, which targets the Ebola virus's surface protein, demonstrated promising results, with all participants experiencing mild side effects.
Researchers found that prior and recent dengue virus infection was associated with protection from symptomatic Zika virus infection in a pediatric cohort. However, previous exposure did not affect the rate of total Zika virus infection. The study suggests that prior dengue virus immunity might cross-protect against symptomatic Zika.
A new study found that prior dengue virus infection in children may be protective against symptomatic Zika virus infection. The research, published in PLOS Medicine, involved over 3,000 children aged 2-14 years and showed that those with a history of dengue infection had a lower risk of being symptomatic when infected with Zika.
A team of researchers at Texas Biomed has identified the interaction between an Ebola virus protein and a human cell protein that may be crucial to understanding the virus's life cycle. By studying this interaction in human cells using live virus, the scientists hope to develop potential drug targets to stop the disease.
A cellular protein called Hsp70 plays a critical role in Zika virus infection, facilitating attachment to cells, replication inside cells, and release of mature virus particles. This discovery validates Hsp70 as a potential target for developing new therapies to prevent or treat Zika virus infection.
Scientists have developed a combination of monoclonal antibodies that protect animals from all three Ebola viruses, known to cause human disease. The experimental treatment, called MBP134, has shown broad protective efficacy in both animal models and large animal models.
Researchers have developed a two-antibody cocktail that protects nonhuman primates and ferrets against lethal Ebola virus infections of multiple strains. The breakthrough offers potential for a single-dose treatment to reduce healthcare worker burden during outbreaks.
Researchers have identified a new genus of filovirus from a Rousettus bat in China, which shares genetic similarities with Ebola and Marburg viruses. The M?nglà virus poses a potential risk of interspecies transmission and has only been detected in bats so far.
Researchers have identified a new genus of filovirus from fruit bats in China, which shares similarities with Ebola and Marburg viruses. The Mengla virus has been found in different geographic locations than other filoviruses and poses a potential risk of interspecies transmission.
Researchers discovered a human protein, RBBP6, that interferes with the Ebola virus replication cycle. By mimicking this protein's function, a small molecule drug could potentially block Ebola virus infection in human cells.
Researchers identified a new interaction between the Ebola virus protein VP30 and human host protein RBBP6, which disrupts virus growth. The study provides potential therapeutic targets for treating Ebola virus infections.
A lab study identified key ways the three viruses hijack human cells and found at least one potential drug that can disrupt this process in human cells. Researchers also discovered how the Zika virus might cause microcephaly in infants, a crucial step towards developing a treatment.
A new Ebola diagnostic test developed by David Sebba and colleagues offers a simple solution for detecting the disease in low-resource settings. The point-of-care test can distinguish between Ebola and other endemic diseases like Lassa fever and malaria within 30 minutes.
Scientists visualized a real virus with a three-dimensional model to track its movement within a mosquito's body. The study found that the virus leaves the midgut within 32-48 hours, revealing a narrow window for prevention. Researchers aim to inhibit genes involved in virus release to prevent future transmission.
Researchers discovered that derivatives of amodiaquine can effectively block Ebola virus infection, with modified compounds showing improved potency and reduced toxicity. The findings offer a new therapeutic approach to treating patients infected with Ebola.
A randomized, controlled trial is enrolling patients with confirmed Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo to compare mortality among those receiving three investigational drugs with a control group. The trial aims to establish the safety and efficacy of these treatments in a comprehensive response to combat Ebola.
Researchers at German Primate Center found that MERS virus mutations make it more resistant to the human immune system. This could lead to a rise in severe cases and potentially trigger a pandemic.
Scientists at The Wistar Institute have successfully engineered novel DNA-encoded monoclonal antibodies targeting Zaire Ebolavirus, which offered complete and long-term protection against lethal virus challenges. The study provides a simple, rapid, and reproducible approach for immunization and evaluation of antibody efficacy.
Three experimental Ebola vaccines showed persistent immunity for at least two and a half years, driving new vaccine development against diseases like Lassa fever, Nipah virus disease, and MERS-CoV. The study's findings have implications far beyond the Ebola fight, providing insights that could expedite vaccine development.
Researchers have used high-resolution electron microscopy to reveal how an anti-cancer virus interacts with tumor cells, increasing its potential. The Seneca Valley Virus selectively targets a receptor found in over 60% of human cancers, offering a promising approach for cancer treatment.
Researchers have developed a new vaccine strategy that offers partial protection against the highly contagious infectious bronchitis virus. The recombinant virus vaccine approach has potential to be more cost-effective and respond to emerging new virus strains, but further research is needed to develop a more robust vaccine.
Scientists have imaged the Ebola virus protein structure at near-atomic resolution, revealing a complex with individual RNA nucleotides and amino-acid side chains. This clarity may help find targets for antiviral drugs, one step closer to understanding how the whole virus works.
Researchers aim to understand how malarial infections impact people exposed to Ebola virus, with a goal of developing tailored therapeutics for co-infection cases. The study will assess molecular impacts using an animal model and may involve testing in nonhuman primates.
The WRAIR is conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial of the VRC-MARADC087-00-VP vaccine candidate, developed by NIAID, in healthy adult volunteers. The vaccine aims to stimulate rapid but durable immunity against Marburg virus, which causes severe hemorrhagic fever.
Researchers have developed a two-pronged approach targeting Ebola virus infection using linked nucleic acid (LNA) antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). The study demonstrates effective targeting of two Ebola viral genes and the ability to prevent infectivity via Niemann-Pick C1.
A new Lassa fever and rabies vaccine has demonstrated effective protection in animal models of disease, suggesting a new way to test for protection against the virus. Researchers have also identified a new surrogate measure of protection that could aid in vaccine development.
A novel synthetic DNA vaccine offers complete protection from Zaire Ebolavirus infection, with strong immune responses detected one year after the last dose. The vaccine's efficacy and durability support its potential as a new tool for protection against Ebola virus.
A new NYU study used text message surveys to track maternal health services during the 2015 Ebola outbreak, finding a drop in hospital-based births and similar declines in both public and private facilities. The method's accuracy was validated through propensity score matching with national survey data.
Massachusetts General Hospital is participating in a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of ZMapp, an experimental Ebola treatment. The hospital aims to enhance its biothreats preparedness and provide access to life-saving therapeutics for patients with confirmed Ebola or high-risk exposure.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge are launching a new clinical trial for a trivalent vaccine targeting Ebola, Lassa, and Marburg viruses. The vaccine builds on nearly two decades of research and aims to predict future outbreaks by studying natural animal reservoirs.
Scientists at Scripps Research have identified rare antibodies that can bind to the Ebola virus and stop infection, potentially leading to a universal therapy. The new research reveals how these antibodies work by targeting a conserved region of the viral fusion loop.