Antibodies from Ebola survivors can strongly neutralize the virus and protect mice from a lethal challenge. The study found these protective antibodies using a new technology called Immune Repertoire Capture°0niversity.
A new study proves that Gaétan Dugas was one of many thousands infected in the years before HIV was recognized. The term 'Patient Zero' was created inadvertently in the earliest years of investigating AIDS, and Dugas's global defamation is attributed to this mistake.
A recent study by Emory Vaccine Center-India collaboration reveals insights into CD8 T cells' role in fighting dengue virus infection. The research shows that these immune cells expand massively but keep cytokine production under control, retaining the ability to kill virus-infected cells.
Healthcare workers who cared for Ebola patients in Sierra Leone described relying on training, guidelines, and equipment to manage risks. They also emphasized the importance of being prepared to face highly contagious and deadly diseases, a concern relevant to global health, according to Dr. Asa Hornsten.
The study highlights the risks of human presence on endangered ape populations, including disease transmission and habitat destruction. To mitigate these threats, Schultz proposes improving protocols and regulations for ecotourism and promoting understanding of interspecies disease transmission as a conservation threat.
A randomized controlled trial found ZMapp to be safe and well-tolerated, with a 40% lower risk of death for those who received the treatment. However, the trial was conducted during a public health emergency and enrolled too few participants to determine definitively whether ZMapp is superior to standard care alone.
Researchers identify genetic switches controlling metabolic response to HCV infection and show how these genes affect virus lifecycle. Blocking certain metabolic processes can actually increase HCV replication, presenting a new approach to treat virus infections by targeting metabolic regulation.
A new screening strategy could quickly identify drugs with antiviral potential by repurposing existing medications for other conditions. The research revealed 110 human genes that could serve as antiviral targets for specific existing drugs.
Experts suggest outsourcing key tasks from WHO to better-placed agencies to improve effectiveness and attract funding. This approach would utilize external expertise more appropriately, allowing the organization to maintain global leadership while increasing the contribution of other actors.
Scientists have developed a two-pronged antibody that can counteract the unique immune-evasion mechanism of filoviruses like Ebola. The antibody, called a 'Trojan horse' antibody, targets the glycoprotein on the outside of the virus and prevents it from associating with a specific host-cell receptor in the endosome.
A new therapeutic strategy targeting a shared Achilles' heel of all Ebola viruses has shown promising results. Two monoclonal antibodies blocked the invasion of human cells by all five ebolaviruses, and one protected mice exposed to lethal doses of Ebola Zaire.
Researchers developed a new mathematical model to predict zoonotic disease outbreaks like Ebola and Lassa fever. The model incorporates spillover and stuttering transmission, enabling more accurate predictions and informing targeted public health strategies.
Mass drug administration in Liberia reduced malaria incidence, but actual treatment compliance was low due to misconceptions about health interventions. The study found a significant decline in monthly malaria fever cases from 4.3% to 1.5% after the intervention.
Scientists have discovered a new class of small molecule compounds that can block the Ebola virus's ability to break out of cells and infect new ones. The compounds target an interaction between the virus and host cells, inhibiting viral egress without being toxic to human cells.
Researchers at UTMB have protected nonhuman primates against Ebola Sudan four days after infection using a siRNA-based treatment. The treatment was effective even when animals showed signs of disease and had detectable levels of the virus in their blood.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that polymers can selectively target dying cells, halting chronic inflammation in lupus while enhancing flu immunity. The approach shows promise for treating a range of inflammatory conditions.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that people infected with Ebola virus were 20% more likely to survive if they were co-infected with malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites. The survival difference was evident even after controlling for Ebola viral load and age.
Researchers argue that data sharing is crucial for effective response to public health emergencies and that routine practice will be needed. Three major impediments limit data sharing, including lack of standards for data users, concerns over scholarly stature, and inadequate technology or human capacity.
Activated B cells play a crucial role in the formation of immune memory, with some cells persisting for months after initial exposure. The study reveals that while plasmablasts dominate early responses to infections or vaccinations, activated B cells take center stage later on.
Researchers at TSRI have developed a high-resolution view of how the ZMapp experimental therapy targets Ebola virus. The study revealed detailed images of the protein structures, providing new clues to improve the effectiveness of the antibodies in the treatment.
The Ebola epidemic led to a significant decline in child and maternal health in Liberia, with a 30% reduction in facility-based deliveries. The study found that fear of Ebola transmission in healthcare facilities was the primary factor contributing to this decline.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that maternal health services in rural Liberia suffered a significant impact during the Ebola epidemic, with facility-based deliveries decreasing by approximately 8%. The researchers noted that fear of transmission in health facilities was a major factor contributing to this decline.
Chemists at the University of Texas at Arlington have developed a new method to quantify water content in solid pharmaceutical drugs, which is faster, cheaper, and more accurate than Karl Fischer titration. The new method uses headspace gas chromatography with ionic liquids and can analyze samples in just 10 minutes.
The university has grown its research funding by nearly $40 million over the past two years, with federal agency funding increasing by 30 percent. Georgia State now ranks among the nation's premier urban public research universities, with a 'very high research activity' designation from the Carnegie Foundation.
Researchers have identified a modified human protein essential for Ebola virus replication, offering new targets for therapeutic development.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a simple and inexpensive device that can sort droplets of liquid based solely on their varying surface tensions. The device uses a tunable surface chemistry to manipulate its repellency to different liquids, enabling the sorting of droplets by surface tension.
A team of researchers at UCSF and UC Berkeley identified duramycin as an effective blocker of Zika virus infection in human cells. The study reveals two potential routes for the virus to reach the fetus and shows that duramycin can prevent birth defects associated with microcephaly.
Studies on nonhuman primates spark debate over ethics of infection challenges, with experts arguing for stricter safeguards to balance human need with animal welfare
Ecologists have identified 21 bat species that are likeliest to harbor Ebola and other filoviruses, primarily found in Southeast Asia and Central and South America. The study suggests targeted disease surveillance efforts in these regions to prevent future outbreaks.
A team of scientists has developed a model that can predict which bat species are most likely to transmit Ebola and other filoviruses. The study highlights new potential hosts and geographic hotspots worthy of surveillance, with the AI algorithm identifying potential carriers in Southeast Asia and Central and South America.
Scientists have discovered two new strains of the HTLV-4 virus in hunters bitten by gorillas in Gabon, supporting the notion that gorillas are a major source of infectious agents. The findings suggest that gorilla bites can lead to chronic persistence of the virus in humans.
Researchers tested serum antibodies from Ebola survivors and found substantial cross-reactivity with other filoviruses, suggesting long-lived immunity. The study's results indicate that antibody responses extend beyond the primary virus, imparting at least partial immunity to other filoviral infections.
Scientists have discovered a molecular component in plant cells that senses electric voltage, enabling them to respond to threats. This finding has implications for understanding how plants defend against pathogens like Ebola viruses.
Global health advocates call for aligning medical intelligence, national security, and global health priorities to prevent blurring of boundaries. A pathway for cooperation, highlighting health threats with national security implications before policy action, is proposed to mitigate adverse consequences.
The PREVAIL IV trial is a six-month study enrolling 60-120 EVD survivors with evidence of Ebola virus RNA in their semen. Participants will receive either investigational drug GS-5734 or a placebo to see if it can eliminate the viral RNA from semen.
Researchers develop customizable RNA vaccines that can be manufactured in one week, inducing strong immune responses against various pathogens. The vaccines show 100% effectiveness in tests in mice, making them a promising alternative to traditional vaccines.
The 1976 Ebola outbreak highlighted the importance of rapid clinical recognition, international notification, and specimen provision. Researchers recommend strengthened preparation, detection, response, control mechanisms, and international cooperation to manage future outbreaks promptly.
A team of experts has proposed a standard list of essential diagnostic tests to support the use of medicines listed on the Model List of Essential Medicines. The list includes 147 critical laboratory tests across 57 categories, which can guide the use of many different EML drugs and improve healthcare quality in developing nations.
Researchers suggest using MIGA to incentivize development of public health systems and provide coverage for disease outbreaks. The mechanism would encourage beneficiary countries to establish core capacities as set forth by the World Health Organization's International Health Regulations.
University of Chicago scientists developed a computer model of HIV that gives real insight into how the virus matures and becomes infective. The model reveals critical proteins inside the bud are cut into bits by the enzyme HIV protease, which can be targeted by anti-viral drugs.
A UCL-led team of researchers has developed a model that predicts outbreaks of zoonotic diseases like Ebola and Zika based on environmental changes. The model forecasts the number of people affected by Lassa fever to double from 195,125 to 406,725 by 2070 due to climate change and population growth.
New research suggests that sexual transmission of Ebola could have a major impact on the dynamics of the disease. The study found that even small and short outbreaks with sexual transmission were larger and longer-lasting than those without it.
The article explores the negative effects of medical industry gifts on physicians, arguing that well-intentioned actions can be perniciously infected by industry presence. It also examines Medicare's new policy on advance planning and its limitations, as well as the quarantine controversy surrounding Ebola nurse Kaci Hickox's case.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is developing a training program to equip health care and public safety workers with the skills and knowledge needed to protect themselves and their communities from potential exposure to contaminated materials or infected individuals. The program, funded by the National Institute of Environmenta...
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has launched a three-year, $9 million training program to educate approximately 35,000 first responders and hazardous waste workers on infectious disease safety. The program aims to minimize the spread of disease to others while protecting these workers from exposure.
Researchers used RNA simulations to understand how viruses fold into specific shapes, offering potential targets for treating retroviral diseases. The study's findings provide valuable information on the thermodynamic stability of RNA molecules and their behavior in different environments.
Researchers found that African monkeys in Tanzania and Kenya are consuming bats as a food source. This predation behavior could facilitate the transmission of zoonotic diseases between animals and humans.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin developed a new method to rapidly detect single viruses in urine, including Ebola, Zika, and HIV. The technique is highly selective and can be used with urine straight from a person or animal, unlike other methods that require higher concentrations or purification.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have developed a strategy to create the first broad-spectrum antiviral drug, which could provide protection against seven deadly viruses, including Nipah and Ebola. By targeting a single gene, the approach boosts immunity against viral infections.
A global early warning system for infectious diseases is proposed to use computer models to forecast disease risk and inform targeted responses. This system could shift the paradigm from reactive to pre-emptive management of risk, minimizing damages and improving global health security.
A new PLOS Medicine article highlights the need for strengthened national health systems, consolidated global emergency response activities, and enhanced research and development to prevent and respond to future infectious disease threats. The study's authors emphasize that system-wide accountability and continuous oversight are crucia...
The next WHO director general must establish a well-coordinated system for preventing and responding to outbreaks, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and engage private sector foundations during public health emergencies. This is according to experts' analysis of key questions for prospective candidates.
A study published in Virus Evolution found that unconventional transmission routes like semen and breast milk contributed to the tail-end of the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. The research used real-time sequencing of Ebola virus genomes to track the source of infection for some final cases.
Researchers at George Mason University have successfully developed an early-detection urine test for Lyme disease that accurately identifies the bacteria protein, even in patients with active cases. The test has shown promise for diagnosing other diseases, including Ebola, malaria, and tuberculosis.
Researchers identified two existing compounds effective against the Chikungunya virus in an animal model, bringing a potential treatment within reach. The findings also suggest that these compounds may be useful for broadly acting antivirals against emerging viruses.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a rapid and portable test for Zika virus that can detect the virus in serum or saliva samples at lower concentrations than previously possible. The test has the potential to improve upon key limitations of currently available options and enable mass monitoring of outbreaks.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have developed a novel, inexpensive method for detecting the Zika virus that could help slow its spread. The system uses a simple modular workflow comprising three steps: amplification, detection, and strain identification.
A phase I trial of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine in Africa and Europe has shown promising results, with antibodies detectable after six months. The vaccine stimulates a strong immune response and appears to control virus replication.
Genomic analysis of Ebola virus samples from Liberia in June 2015 indicates a re-emergence of a persistently infected source, highlighting the risk of disease flare-ups even after an outbreak is declared over. The study's findings suggest that the virus replicates at a lower rate during persistent infections.
Researchers found that topoisomerase 1 inhibitors suppress inflammation in mice, potentially treating sepsis and other immune disorders. These drugs have shown promise in rescuing mice from a lethal inflammatory response caused by bacterial infections, suggesting a new approach to controlling acute infections.