Articles tagged with Ebola Virus
Researchers develop a new sensor that can detect Ebola in a single drop of blood and provide results in just an hour. The technology also shows promise for detecting COVID-19 and other viruses.
Scientists at Scripps Research have discovered how some antibodies can broadly neutralize ebolaviruses by targeting a key site on the virus called the glycan cap. This breakthrough may lead to the development of an antibody-based treatment that can save lives against a range of ebolavirus species.
A new study reveals how Ebola virus's VP40 protein uses human mRNA to transform into different shapes, adapting to various functions. This discovery sheds light on the fundamentals of genome-encoded information and highlights VP40 as a key vulnerability for effective therapies.
A new diagnostic test, called the D4-assay, has been developed to detect Ebola virus infection earlier than the current industry standard PCR test. The test is highly sensitive and can detect the virus a full day earlier than PCR, making it a promising tool in addressing ongoing outbreaks.
A new model created by Penn State researchers finds that healthcare workers' illness during outbreaks significantly increases overall case counts and mortality rates. The model suggests that high loss impact paired with low redundancy leads to the most severe epidemic outcomes.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens identified a key pathway that Ebola uses to gain entry into human cells. The researchers found that a specific FDA-approved drug can prevent the virus from using this pathway, potentially leading to new treatment options for Ebola patients.
A study found that over half of Ebola survivors experienced a rapid increase in antibody levels around 200 days after recovery, followed by decline, indicating potential long-term virus persistence.
A team of researchers used Stampede2 and Bridges simulations to analyze the stability of the Ebola virus's nucleocapsid, a protein shell that protects its genetic material. The study found that RNA helps stabilize the nucleocapsid through electrostatic interactions with its nucleoproteins, providing potential targets for new therapeutics.
Researchers found Ebola virus antibodies in 10% of patients seeking care in the year before the 2018 outbreak, highlighting potential for more frequent exposure. Women were significantly more likely to be exposed, consistent with other studies.
A computational study of Ebola's nucleocapsid reveals how ssRNA encapsulation stabilizes the virus, maintaining its structural integrity. The model includes all atoms and ions essential for the helical assembly, providing insights into the virus's ability to infect and replicate.
The study reveals structural features of the Ebola nucleocapsid, a promising therapeutic target for destabilizing the virus and knocking it out with antivirals. The researchers used supercomputers to simulate the inner workings of Ebola, observing the way molecules move to carry out their functions.
A new study is analyzing how SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly in Asia before slowing down, with insights potentially informing secondary outbreak predictions and intervention strategies. By studying travel restrictions and quarantines, researchers are identifying factors that facilitated transmission and slowed it down.
Researchers found that bat and fruit bat species capable of carrying the Ebola virus thrive in West and East Africa, including Central Africa. The study suggests keeping a closer eye on diseases in their modeled ranges to inform the public about potential Ebola infections.
Researchers identified a new pathway that protects cells from Ebola virus and coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2, by blocking viral entry into the cell. The MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) gene induces resistance to Ebola virus through the activation of CD74 p41, which disrupts viral protein processing and prevents infection.
Researchers identified a new cellular protection pathway that targets a common vulnerability in several pandemic viruses, including Ebola and SARS-CoV-2. The study found that the MHC class II transactivator CIITA induces resistance by activating CD74, which disrupts viral entry into cells.
A new study reveals that bats can host the Ebola virus without contracting the deadly disease, thanks to their unique cell structure. The research found that bat cells induce changes in the virus that make it less capable of harm, allowing it to coexist with its natural reservoir.
Dr. Christopher Basler's five-year grant aims to understand how Ebola and Marburg viruses evade immune responses, leading to new treatment approaches. The study will focus on filovirus-host interactions related to gene expression and translation.
A study by University of Kent's Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology found significant differences in disease risk perception and information channels about Ebola virus disease in rural and urban areas of Guinea. Rural residents mainly received information through awareness-raising missions, while urban respondents used newspa...
Researchers studied the roles of Sierra Leonean journalists during the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak, finding they adapted to become educators and public mobilizers. Targeted training helped them identify safe reporting practices, improving their communication of public health messages.
Researchers at Flinders University and US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease have developed a highly protective Ebola vaccine that appears to be effective against lethal infections in mice. The vaccine, combined with an Advax™ adjuvant, shows promise for preventing future Ebola outbreaks in Africa.
Researchers surveyed US citizens before and after the 2014 Ebola outbreak, finding relative complacency regarding pandemic threats. Their study suggests policymakers should not rely on public perception when it comes to disease threats.
UVA Health's telehealth tools improved patient care and healthcare provider safety during the Ebola outbreak. The Isolation Communication Management System (iSOCOMS) allowed doctors to provide personal, high-quality care while conserving vital PPE.
George Mason University's National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases will provide expertise and resources to Emergex in developing CD8+ priming RNA virus vaccines. These vaccines offer advantages over traditional vaccines by providing a cell-mediated immune response, reducing allergic and autoimmune side effects.
Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center report development of a potential universal vaccine for Ebola viruses. The new vaccine uses glycoproteins from two Ebola virus species and has shown promise in neutralizing all four pathogenic species, generating cross-reactive responses against multiple viruses.
Scientists are closely monitoring remdesivir trials for COVID-19 treatment, despite caution from infectious disease experts about difficult-to-interpret results. The antiviral drug blocks RNA polymerase used by SARS-CoV-2 to replicate, showing promise in lab experiments and animal studies.
Researchers found the average serial interval for COVID-19 in China to be approximately four days, indicating a short window for public health responders to identify and isolate cases. This study provides evidence of asymptomatic transmission, which may require more aggressive control measures to curb the spread of the disease.
A study found that volunteer-based outreach programs, such as door-to-door canvassing in Liberia, can effectively spread valuable information and change public practices during epidemics. The program improved health outcomes, increased public trust in government institutions, and led to more people following control measures.
Researchers discover how Ebola virus interacts with human lipids and how disrupting this interaction can inhibit infection in cell culture. Two FDA-approved drugs show promise in blocking virus replication and spread.
Researchers have found that a component of the Ebola virus can selectively target and kill glioblastoma brain tumors, providing a potential new approach to treating this deadly form of cancer. The Ebola glycoprotein MLD helps protect normal cells from infection while allowing cancer cells to be targeted by the immune system.
A team at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health has developed a new method that accurately predicts human disease outcomes based on gene expression in individuals infected with Ebola. The model uses machine learning and was tested on a data set collected from Ebola patients in western Africa, confirming its accuracy.
A new test developed by a German Center for Infection Research team allows for quick characterization of the genetic material of ebolaviruses, enabling specific diagnostic tests and efficient outbreak control measures. This breakthrough could help reduce the number of lives lost to Ebola outbreaks.
Researchers developed an antibody cocktail that protects nonhuman primates against the related Sudan ebolavirus through in vitro and rodent studies. The treatment showed effectiveness in protecting against the virus, which has caused eight outbreaks and 412 deaths since 1976.
Scientists detected Marburg virus in Egyptian rousette fruit bats in Sierra Leone, highlighting the risk of human exposure. The presence of Marburg virus means people living nearby could be at risk for becoming infected without reported cases of illness.
The Partnership for Research on Ebola Vaccination (PREVAC) has received additional funding to evaluate three Ebola vaccine regimens for long-term safety and durability. The PREVAC-UP project will assess these factors over 5 years after vaccination, as well as the impact of co-infections like malaria and helminths on immune responses.
The PALM clinical trial found that investigational drugs mAb114 and REGN-EB3 offered lower mortality rates compared to ZMapp, with mortality rates of 35% and 34%, respectively. Early diagnosis and treatment also improved survival chances.
A new risk assessment model accurately predicted Ebola's spread into Uganda by considering constant contacts and temporary interactions. The model helped allocate resources and prevent further spread in the country.
Researchers discovered that Ebola virus targets and disables T cells, a crucial line of defense, rendering infected individuals less able to combat the infection. This understanding could lead to new insights into immunosuppression and disease development in general.
Conflict events repeatedly reversed a declining phase of the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to researchers. Vaccination effectiveness was severely impacted by preceding unrest and subsequent conflict events, dropping from 52% to 4.8%.
A new UCL-developed model tracks ecosystem changes and human societies to predict Ebola outbreaks, identifying countries at risk in Africa. The model's results show that climate change and slower socioeconomic development increase the likelihood of outbreaks.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science and Germany's University of Cologne have identified two antibodies produced by vaccinated individuals that provide long-term immunity against Ebola. These antibodies, which target specific sites on the viral glycoprotein, demonstrate effective protection against the virus.
Scientists have decoded the immune response to the Ebola vaccine, revealing a broad range of antibodies against the virus. The research, led by Prof. Klein, found that different sites on the envelope protein of the virus were recognized and many antibodies exhibited high neutralising activity.
Researchers at Texas Biomed continue testing Ebola therapies and vaccines in human clinical trials, motivated by promising preclinical data. The goal is to positively impact human lives with effective treatments, building on previous studies involving nonhuman primates.
A study by Georgia State University researchers found that creating mutations in the VP35 protein of the Ebola virus can make it unable to cause disease. The mutated virus was able to induce strong immune responses in non-human primates, protecting them from infection with wildtype Ebola virus.
A new study demonstrates that a mutant live attenuated Ebola virus vaccine protects non-human primates against infection, targeting the immune-evasion function of VP35. The researchers developed a virus with three mutations in the VP35 protein, which plays a critical role in evading host immune responses.
A study found that mortality rates among Ebola survivors after hospital discharge were five times higher than expected in the general population. Those who stayed longer in treatment units had a higher mortality rate due to prolonged acute forms of the disease.
A community-based wildlife mortality surveillance system has been implemented in Republic of Congo to detect Ebola outbreaks early. The program, developed by WCS and NIH, reaches over 6,600 people and covers an area of 50,000 km2.
A new study suggests that nitazoxanide, an FDA-approved anti-parasitic drug, could potentially treat Ebola by enhancing the immune system's ability to detect the virus. The drug inhibited Ebola replication and worked by broadly amplifying the interferon pathway and cellular viral sensors.
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.
Bias and honesty are key factors in determining source credibility, a study by Ohio State University researchers found. People tend to distrust biased sources, even if they believe the information is true. In contrast, untruthful news isn't the only issue for consumers; objective sources can still lose credibility if perceived as biased.
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 developed a new methodology to calculate vulnerability based on adaptive capacity, which can help international bodies allocate resources. The study found that the most vulnerable states are not necessarily those with high confirmed cases, but rather those that struggle to cope with the disease.
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.
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.