A new collaboration aims to develop an affordable and accessible monoclonal antibody therapeutic for CCHFV, treating thousands globally. USAMRIID discovered the antibody in mice, and LifeArc is supporting development of a fully humanized antibody.
Researchers have made significant discoveries about the role of GP38 in viral infections and pathogenesis, highlighting its potential as a target for vaccines and medical countermeasures. Non-neutralizing GP38-specific antibodies have shown protective efficacy against lethal challenge, reducing circulating GP38 and vascular leak.
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.
Researchers at USAMRIID have demonstrated the use of messenger RNA (mRNA) to develop treatments for infectious diseases. The study found that administering mRNAs encoding monoclonal antibodies targeting poxviruses resulted in significant systemic levels of functional antibodies, offering potential for rapid response to disease outbreaks.
The US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases has made a breakthrough in understanding Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) disease process. The study found that the host inflammatory response is a significant driver of CCHFV-mediated disease, and that modulating this response could help prevent severe disease....
Scientists have discovered a human antibody that effectively neutralizes two types of hantaviruses in animal models, providing a promising candidate for developing a 'pan-hantavirus' therapy. Collectively, hantaviruses cause about 50,000 severe and often fatal infections worldwide each year.
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 lethal hamster model for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The transgenic hamsters express human ACE2 protein, leading to severe disease, including weight loss, lung injury, and brain infection.
Scientists have developed an enzyme that degrades the capsule surrounding the bacterium that causes anthrax, reducing virulence and protecting mice from infection. The treatment, known as PEG-CapD-CPS334C, is a promising avenue for treating multidrug-resistant anthrax and other bacterial infections.
A new study published in Cell Reports Medicine reveals the origins of a 2012 Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The analysis, conducted by an international team, used high-throughput sequencing to identify multiple virus 'spillover' events that contributed to the outbreak. This research highlights th...
Researchers have developed an antibody-based therapy to treat Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, a highly lethal tick-borne disease. The therapy, called DVD-121-801, overcomes infection in mice with just one dose administered after virus exposure.
Researchers have developed three nonhuman primate species as potential models of SARS-CoV-2 airborne infection, which can be used to test vaccines and therapies. The studies found that cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, and African green monkeys developed disease similar to mild acute respiratory disease in humans.
A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the Andes virus, carried by wild rodents, can cause severe respiratory disease in humans through extensive person-to-person contact. The outbreak in a small village in Argentina had the most extensive recorded human-to-human transmission of the virus to date.
Researchers developed a lethal mouse model for SARS-CoV-2 by infecting genetically engineered K18-hACE2 mice with the virus. The study reveals acute disease symptoms and fatal outcomes in these mice, providing a valuable platform for medical countermeasure development.
Researchers designed a novel receptor that binds to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, preventing it from entering cells. The decoy receptor has potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 and also acts against SARS-CoV-1, a closely related virus.
US Army scientists develop an experimental antibody cocktail that protects animals from Sudan virus, a closely related to Ebola. The treatment boosts the body's immune system to fight infection and provides protection in rhesus macaques.
The US FDA has approved a new smallpox vaccine called JYNNEOS, which is non-replicating and can be used to protect against both smallpox and monkeypox diseases. The vaccine developed by Bavarian Nordic was shown to have a superior immune response compared to the existing ACAM2000 vaccine.
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.
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.
A global team of investigators has identified protocadherin-1 (PCDH1) as a crucial protein involved in Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a serious respiratory disease. The study, published in Nature, reveals that PCDH1 facilitates lung cell infection and triggers HPS, providing a viable target for blocking the disease.
Research has shed light on the mechanism of sexual transmission of Marburg virus, identifying persistent infection in seminiferous tubules and specialized cells called Sertoli cells. The study suggests that targeting immunosuppressive regulatory T cells may help clear Marburg virus from the testes, preventing sexual transmission.
Scientists have identified immune-related genes in Egyptian fruit bats that suggest a different approach to viral infections. The study found expanded and diversified natural killer cell receptors, MHC class I genes, and type I interferons in bats, which may enable them to tolerate viruses without symptoms.
Scientists identified potential biomarkers in nonhuman primates exposed to Ebola virus that appeared up to four days before fever onset. These markers could predict disease development prior to other host-based indications of infection.
A Phase 3 clinical trial demonstrates the safety and efficacy of IMVAMUNE, a non-replicating smallpox vaccine. The study showed twofold higher neutralizing antibodies compared to ACAM2000, a statistically superior immune response.
A recent study by USAMRIID and collaborators found that the monkeypox virus outbreak in Nigeria likely originated from a local source, with one of the earliest cases dating back to 1971. The findings highlight the importance of local surveillance for early detection of viral spillovers.
A new universal surveillance platform is being developed to detect infectious diseases, using Ceres' Nanotrap technology and Tasso's HemoLink device. The platform aims to provide safe and simple blood sample collection in remote environments, improving early response to outbreaks.
Researchers used PET imaging to study brain inflammation following Zika virus infection in mice, finding a 2- to 6-fold increase in global brain neuroinflammation over time. The technology allows for longitudinal studies of the same animal during the course of the infection, providing enhanced information about disease progression.
Researchers have found that Ebola virus can persist in specific areas of the body, including the eye, brain, and testes, even after symptoms resolve. This knowledge holds promise for developing medical products to counter the disease in humans.
A study by a multi-national research team, including scientists from the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, explains how Zika virus entered the US and how it might re-enter the country. They used near real-time genomic sequencing to create a family tree showing the virus's spread through space and time.
Scientists have identified a new multicomponent virus called Guaico Culex virus (GCXV) that can infect animals but not mammals. The discovery highlights the diversity of host ranges among viruses and underscores the need for continued research to better prepare for emerging diseases.
A new anthrax capsule vaccine has been found to completely protect monkeys from lethal inhalational anthrax infection. The study suggests that the capsule is a highly effective vaccine component that could be incorporated into future generation anthrax vaccines, offering a safer alternative to existing protective antigen-based vaccines.
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.
A novel small-molecule antiviral compound, GS-5734, has been shown to protect rhesus monkeys from Ebola virus infection when administered three days post-infection. This preclinical result demonstrates the compound's ability to block viral replication and reduce disease severity.
A single monoclonal antibody isolated from a human Ebola survivor has been shown to completely protect monkeys from lethal infection with the virus. The antibody, known as mAb114, was effective even when given five days after exposure, suggesting it could be used as a potential treatment for human cases.
A comprehensive genomic analysis of Ebola virus sequences from Liberia reveals a single introduction source, followed by local spread and diversification. The study also identified reintroductions as a key factor in the continuation of the outbreak in Guinea.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A phase 1 clinical trial found the VSV-EBOV Ebola vaccine to be safe and elicit a robust immune response, with 93% of volunteers developing anti-Ebola antibodies within two weeks. The vaccine's higher dose showed a stronger antibody response.
Scientists developed an antiviral compound targeting VP24, a key protein in the Ebola virus, which protected 75% of infected monkeys. The compound, AVI-7537, was found to be safe and well-tolerated, offering hope for developing effective therapies against the deadly disease.
Scientists have identified several genetic mutations in the Ebola virus that could render sequence-based treatments ineffective. The study found 10 new mutations that may interfere with monoclonal antibody, siRNA, and PMO drugs, highlighting the need to consider genetic drift when developing potential therapeutics.
Scientists have developed protective human antibodies using DNA-vaccinated cows, which showed potent neutralizing activity against two types of hantaviruses. The antibodies protected hamsters from lethal disease caused by these viruses, with seven out of eight treated animals surviving without symptoms.
Researchers analyzed clinical samples from suspected Lassa fever cases in Sierra Leone and found nearly 9% tested positive for Ebola virus. The study demonstrates that Ebola has been circulating in the region since at least 2006.
Scientists have discovered that Lassa virus uses a two-step process to enter cells, involving the transport of the virus to a lysosome and the binding to an interior cell receptor called LAMP1. This finding could lead to new approaches for preventing the disease.
Scientists at USAMRIID have proposed a set of standards for sequencing viral genomes, providing a common 'language' among researchers. The standards will facilitate the analysis and application of genome sequences across various fields, including diagnostics, vaccine development, and therapeutics.
Researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of a small-molecule drug, BCX4430, in protecting nonhuman primates from the lethal Marburg virus. The drug protected cynomolgous macaques and guinea pigs from infection when administered by injection or inhalation.
Scientists successfully treated the Ebola virus in infected animals following onset of disease symptoms, demonstrating promise for developing therapies against the virus. The experimental treatment, known as MB-003, protected 43% of infected non-human primates.