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Ebola virus hides in the central nervous system, according to new research led by microbiologists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Researchers found that Ebola virus can persist in cerebral organoids for up to 120 days, infecting various cell types, including neurons and astrocytes. The virus can trigger local inflammation and lead to disease relapses in survivors, highlighting the need for improved treatments.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 17, 2026

Q&A: What factors influence likelihood and severity of Ebola outbreaks?

Researchers at Penn State found that Ebola outbreaks are influenced by environmental and human factors, including weather patterns, vegetation health, and human movement. A strong positive correlation was found between the total length of roads and rivers in outbreak locations and the number of Ebola cases reported early in each outbreak.

SourcePenn State·JournalBiology Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2026

Remember ebola?

Researchers at Kyoto University have captured the first high-resolution structure of Ebola's nucleocapsid using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. This visualization reveals sophisticated interactions between structural components, including VP24 and NP proteins, which govern virus assembly, RNA synthesis, and transport.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMar 26, 2025

New study sheds light on the causes of fevers of unknown origin in sub-Saharan Africa

A new retrospective study found that nearly half of patients with fever of unknown origin in sub-Saharan Africa had a detectable pathogen, including bacterial strains and hemorrhagic fever viruses. The study highlights the need for strengthened laboratory capacity to improve diagnosis and treatment.

SourceGerman Center for Infection Research·JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 11, 2025

University of Minnesota scientists advance nanobody technology to combat deadly Ebola virus

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed two new nanobody inhibitors for Ebola: Nanosota-EB1 and Nanosota-EB2. These tiny antibodies target different parts of the virus, preventing it from attaching to cells and spreading. Lab tests show promising results, achieving a 100% survival rate in Ebola-infected mice.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalPLOS Pathogens·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2025

LJI discovery paves the way for antivirals against Ebola virus and its deadly relatives

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have captured the first detailed images of the Ebola virus nucleocapsid structure, which is crucial for replicating in host cells. This breakthrough may accelerate the development of universal antivirals that target this viral structure to combat multiple filoviruses.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Study shows more than half of global infectious diseases experts surveyed rate influenza as the number one pathogen of concern of pandemic potential

A VACCELERATE Consortium survey study found that 57% of global infectious diseases experts ranked influenza as the top pandemic risk, with Disease X and SARS-CoV-2 also among the most concerning pathogens. The study highlights the need for continued preparedness and surveillance to prevent pandemics.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·JournalTravel Medicine and Infectious Disease·DateApr 20, 2024

A new look inside Ebola's 'viral factories'

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered the inner workings of Ebola virus replication inside host cells, revealing 'viral factories' that form clusters of viral proteins and genomes. These microscopic structures are formed in host cells and play a crucial role in the virus's life cycle.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2023

Luring the virus into a trap

Heidelberg researchers have identified key proteins that can prevent the formation of fusion pores, allowing viruses like influenza A and Ebola to be trapped in a lipid membrane. This breakthrough could lead to new approaches for preventing infections with these highly infectious viruses.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 25, 2023

Study predicts poor survival rates if Ebola infects endangered mountain gorillas

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 12, 2023

Harnessing an innate protection against Ebola

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.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2023

LJI scientists uncover the structure and function of Inmazeb, the first FDA-approved drug for Ebola virus infection

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.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2023

Eyes a haven for Ebola and other viruses

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.

SourceFlinders University·JournalFrontiers in Virology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2022

Promising antibody cocktail takes on Ebola virus—and its deadly cousin

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.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 17, 2022

Study reveals Ebola virus can hide in brain, persist even after treatment

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.

SourceUS Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2022