Articles tagged with Ebola Virus
A new Comment in The Lancet calls for a Global Health Systems Fund to prevent future infectious disease crises and strengthen health infrastructure. The proposed fund would address human resource shortages and fragile health systems that contributed to the devastating Ebola outbreak.
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine identified how Ebola dodges antiviral defenses by hijacking a host protein's ability to carry an important immune signal. This finding could lead to new therapies targeting the virus's deadliness.
A blend of three monoclonal antibodies has been shown to protect monkeys against a lethal dose of Ebola virus for up to 5 days after infection. This treatment, ZMAPP, was found to be effective in a study published in Nature.
Researchers sequenced over 99 Ebola virus genomes from 78 patients in Sierra Leone, finding more than 300 genetic changes that make the 2014 Ebola virus distinct from previous outbreaks. The data provides insights into the outbreak's origin, transmission, and potential targets for diagnostics, vaccines, and therapies.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has launched an initial human safety study for an Ebola vaccine candidate. The trial is the first in a series of Phase 1 clinical trials that will examine the investigational NIAID/GSK Ebola vaccine, which is designed to induce an immune response in healthy adults.
Respiratory infection control measures for Ebola patients are unnecessary and may contribute to public panic, according to a new letter published in The Lancet. Excessive precautions could reinforce the view that some lives are more valuable than others, exacerbating the spread of infection.
A new Ebola treatment has shown promise against the Sudan strain of the virus in mice, using synthetic antibodies designed to target a key molecule on the surface of the virus. The treatment is not effective against the Zaire ebolavirus, which is currently devastating West Africa.
A candidate Ebola vaccine is being tested on healthy volunteers in the UK, The Gambia, and Mali as part of an international collaboration. The phase 1 trials aim to ensure the vaccine's safety and immunogenicity before deployment to high-risk populations.
Researchers develop a potential therapy for Sudan ebolavirus, showing promising results in laboratory tests and mouse models. The humanized antibody has been identified as an immunotherapeutic candidate to treat SUDV infection.
Experts say 14th century Venice's response to the plague holds lessons on how to mitigate the consequences of today's emerging threats. The city's use of resilience management, including physical movement management and quarantine measures, can inform strategies for dealing with highly infectious diseases like Ebola.
A study found that many hospitals in low- and middle-income countries have insufficient stocks of sterile gloves, eyewear, and other protective equipment. This is particularly concerning in the context of the current Ebola outbreak.
A commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine highlights two factors contributing to Ebola infection among healthcare workers: insufficient supply of personal protective equipment and inadequate donning/doffing procedures. To prevent transmission, the authors recommend a structured process for gear removal.
The American College of Chest Physicians has released a consensus statement providing evidence-informed suggestions for preparing and managing the critically ill and injured during large-scale disasters and pandemics. The document aims to guide ethical decision-making, coordination of care, resource conservation, and research in crises.
The Lancet emphasizes the need for fair distribution of experimental Ebola drugs and rigorous testing in clinical trials. Bioethicists recommend prioritizing containment of the epidemic and strengthening health systems over treatment with potentially ineffective interventions.
Two commentaries in Annals of Internal Medicine emphasize the need for immediate Ebola vaccine deployment and cautious approach to containment plans. The authors argue that safety risks from vaccines are negligible compared to healthcare worker risks, while excessive measures can foster mistrust and increase risk.
Ebola treatment expert Jesse L. Goodman advocates for expedited studies of promising treatments while prioritizing patient safety. He suggests completing basic safety studies in healthy humans before treating sick patients.
Two American missionaries who contracted Ebola virus in West Africa deserve special treatment for their selfless act of caring for infected patients. The author argues that limiting experimental treatment to these two patients is necessary due to the ethical concerns of exploiting vulnerable individuals during a public health outbreak.
The article highlights the importance of recognizing Ebola virus infection and isolating patients in hospitals worldwide. Despite concerns about transmission, experts argue that developed countries' effective hospital infection control practices minimize the risk of further spread.
A recent study published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection warns of the high risk of Chikungunya virus spread in the Americas and Europe due to mosquito-borne transmission. The disease can cause severe symptoms, including fever, joint pain, and muscle aches, with no available treatment.
The Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa has claimed over 1,000 lives, with healthcare professionals facing new challenges in capital cities and Nigeria. Dr. Fauci emphasizes the need for sound public health practices, community engagement, and international assistance to defeat the epidemic.
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe reveals how the Ebola virus blocks the body's first line of defense against infection. By targeting a specific protein called eVP24, the virus cripples the immune system's ability to respond effectively, allowing it to mass-produce itself and trigger a deadly response.
Researchers have discovered how Ebola blocks and disables the body's natural immune response. The protein VP24 disrupts a crucial early step in the virus's path to causing deadly disease. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new treatments for the deadly virus.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has received over $6 million to develop experimental drugs against Ebola and Marburg viruses. The research aims to understand how these viruses disable the immune system and create effective treatments for patients infected with filoviruses.
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.
Researchers in Sierra Leone call for enhanced access to diagnostic technologies, healthcare resources, and disease surveillance systems. They also highlight the need for reliable personal protective equipment and effective communication to combat misinformation and improve compliance with prevention measures.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa underscores the importance of real-time data sharing among scientists to improve public health responses. Implementing a regional diagnostic approach can enhance laboratory capabilities, reduce waiting times for test results, and help determine whether established test methods will work or fail.
Researchers at Penn Vet have identified several compounds that can reduce a virus' ability to spread infection, making it easier for the immune system to control. The compounds target specific interactions between viral proteins and host cells, potentially reducing mortality rates for diseases like Ebola and HIV.
Researchers from Inserm and the Institut Pasteur have identified a new variant of the Ebola virus in Guinea. The virus is highly contagious and has a high mortality rate, with symptoms including fever, severe diarrhea, and vomiting. The discovery highlights the need for increased measures to prevent transmission from wild fauna to humans.
A recent review by EcoHealth Alliance calls for enhanced global surveillance to prevent future outbreaks of Ebola and other filoviruses. The organization's research suggests that focusing on wildlife, particularly bats, rodents, and non-human primates, is crucial in predicting and preventing local outbreaks.
International research group recognizes UTMB professors Frederick A. Murphy and Thomas G. Ksiazek for their groundbreaking work on filoviruses, including Ebola and Marburg viruses. The award acknowledges their decades-long efforts to develop vaccines and treatments for these deadly diseases.
Researchers at Einstein will focus on discovering new immunotherapeutic candidates against Ebola and Marburg viruses, while another group will assess how well each antibody works. The project aims to advance treatments for hemorrhagic fever viruses, which cause severe diseases with high mortality rates.
The NIH has awarded a five-year grant of up to $28 million to establish a center for excellence in finding an antibody cocktail to fight the deadly Ebola virus. Researchers from 15 institutions, led by Erica Ollmann Saphire at Scripps Research Institute, will collaborate on definitive experiments.
Researchers will develop and test new vaccines and broad-spectrum treatments for Ebola and Marburg, which are considered high-risk bioterrorist pathogens. The grant aims to address the critical problem of no approved treatments or vaccines for these deadly viruses, with potential applications in post-exposure treatment.
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.
The study showed that the Ebola VP40 protein exists as a dimer and rearranges its structure to assemble filaments for the virus shell or bind RNA, controlling various steps of the life cycle with multiple functions.
Researchers at Mount Sinai identified a critical protein called VP35 that deactivates the innate immune system, allowing Ebola viruses to spread. Overexpressing a cellular protein called PACT inhibited viral replication, providing a potential target for new treatments.
A team of researchers plans to model how humans respond to viral pathogens like influenza, Ebola and West Nile, aiming to provide a detailed molecular understanding for drug development. The study will focus on the host response during infection, using high-throughput screening and advanced data processing methods.
A study reveals how viral protein 40 allows Ebola to leave host cells and spread infection, paving the way for new drug candidates. Mutating VP40's C-terminal domain reduces its effectiveness in binding to plasma membranes.
Scientists at UTMB discovered that Ebola short-circuits the immune system using proteins that shut down cellular signaling related to interferon, preventing dendritic cell maturation and generating an ineffective adaptive immune response. The researchers found that specific regions of two different proteins are crucial for this mechanism.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Institute discovered a polymer hidden within the Ebola virus that can be targeted by llama antibodies, enabling the creation of highly sensitive test kits using a single antibody. This breakthrough may revolutionize emerging viral diagnostics and offer a promising tool for detecting other deadly pathogens.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a new chemical class of compounds that can block genetically diverse viruses from replicating. These indoline alkaloid-type compounds effectively inhibited a number of viruses, including Ebola, by limiting RNA production in cell culture.
A recent study by EcoHealth Alliance found Ebola virus antibodies in approximately 4% of the bats screened in Bangladesh, indicating that Rousettus fruit bats may be a natural reservoir for Ebola virus. The study extends the known range of Ebola to mainland Asia.
Researchers at NIH and OHSU found that an experimental Ebola vaccine elicits antibodies that protect nonhuman primates from Ebola virus infection. The study's results showed that antibodies induced by the vaccine appeared to be critical to protecting the animals, while immune cells had a minimal role.
Researchers discovered a mechanism by which Ebola virus alters and evades the immune response of its infected host. The secreted protein can selectively drive induction of antibody responses to itself while competing for antibodies to the viral surface protein, enabling repeated or sustained infection.
The Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa viruses have been around for thousands of years, not emerging as life-threatening diseases. Designating them as emerging diagnoses would aid in diagnosis and prevention by understanding their ecological niches and geographical distribution.
A new Ebola virus study demonstrates a proof-of-concept for using monoclonal antibodies to prevent lethal disease in rhesus macaques. The plant-based production method offers potential for an economical and effective medical countermeasure.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have determined the structure of a critical protein from the Marburg virus, which blocks the human immune system. The breakthrough provides a major step forward in understanding how the deadly virus works and may be useful in developing potential treatments for those infected.
Einstein researchers will investigate NPC1's role in infection within different species, including bats and rodents. The study aims to pinpoint possible targets for antiviral drugs designed to combat Ebola.
A recent study recommends focusing on collecting animal samples from carcasses during Ebola outbreaks, with a 50% success rate compared to less than 6% when sampling live animals. This approach is crucial for early detection and learning more about the virus.
US Army researchers have successfully tested antibody-based therapies in monkeys infected with Ebola and Marburg viruses, demonstrating full protection even when treatment was delayed until two days post-infection. This breakthrough provides proof-of-concept for developing filovirus therapies for human use.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a plant-derived vaccine for Ebola that provided strong immunological protection in a mouse model. The vaccine uses a DNA blueprint to convert tobacco plants into living pharmaceutical factories, producing a vaccine molecule that can be easily purified and administered.
Researchers have identified an antibody that neutralizes Sudan virus, one of the most deadly human pathogens caused by ebolavirus. The new findings suggest a key spot for neutralizing ebolaviruses, which could lead to the development of effective vaccines and antibody-based therapies.
Scientists have successfully tested a bivalent vaccine that protects against both rabies and Ebola in mice, offering a promising solution for Africa's healthcare challenges. The vaccine is built on the same platform as the approved rabies vaccine and has several advantages over existing Ebola candidates.
Researchers have identified a protein used by Ebola virus to gain entry into cells and begin replicating, providing a new target for antiviral drugs. This discovery may lead to the development of more stable and effective treatments for Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), currently caused by one of the deadliest known viruses affecting humans.
Researchers identify Niemann-Pick C1 as critical protein for Ebola virus entry, paving the way for potential antiviral treatments. The discovery improves chances of developing drugs that directly combat Ebola infections.
Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have discovered a key cellular protein, Niemann-Pick C1, that is essential for the Ebola virus to infect cells. The finding suggests a possible strategy for blocking infection due to Ebola virus, which has killed up to 90% of those infected in some outbreaks.
Researchers identified Niemann-Pick C1 as a critical cellular protein for Ebola virus entry, allowing scientists to develop antiviral drugs. The discovery offers a promising strategy to combat the deadly virus.
Researchers found that Zaire ebolavirus replicates in pigs, causing disease and transmitting the virus to unexposed animals. Pigs with respiratory symptoms shed high viral loads, posing a risk of transmission to humans.
A team of researchers identified TIM-1 as the cellular protein that acts as a receptor for Ebola and Marburg viruses. An antibody targeting TIM-1 blocks infection by both viruses, potentially providing a way to prevent initial infection and limit outbreak spread.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a family of small molecules that bind to the Ebola virus's outer protein coat and inhibit its entry into human cells. The findings demonstrate a potential breakthrough in preventing Ebola infection, with further studies planned to confirm efficacy.