Articles tagged with Ebola Virus
A MU study found that news coverage of Ebola focused on individual stories to humanize those affected, increasing public understanding and awareness. The researchers suggest that reporters covering health crises should consider writing human interest stories that also share helpful information.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found that initial estimates of Ebola's genome change rate were due to biased computer models and limited virus sample data. The team's new calculations show a slower, more accurate mutation rate over time.
Researchers report successful cataract surgeries in 34 Ebola survivors, improving visual acuities from Hand Motions to 20/30 levels. The study provides evidence for safe elective eye surgery in Ebola survivors at risk of uveitis and vision impairment.
The study found that preprint posting increased during the Zika epidemic compared to the Ebola outbreak, providing earlier access to scientific reports. The authors advocate for broader use of preprints to facilitate criticism, analysis, and further studies in infectious disease outbreaks.
Researchers at Boston University have discovered a common pattern of immune response among monkeys exposed to Ebola virus, occurring four days before the onset of fever. This finding suggests a possible biomarker for early diagnosis and could lead to better quarantine and control of outbreaks.
Researchers at Georgia State University identified a chemical compound that effectively inhibits the replication of the Ebola virus and several other viruses. The study found benzoquinoline to be a potent antiviral agent with activity against multiple viruses, including Marburg virus and Zika virus.
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 new study published in PLOS Medicine found that high doses of antiviral drug favipiravir extended survival in non-human primates infected with Ebola virus. The drug was shown to inhibit viral replication in a drug concentration-dependent manner, with animals treated at higher doses surviving longer than those treated at lower doses.
A majority of US adults (59.7%) would pay at least $1 for an Ebola vaccine, according to a national survey conducted during the 2014-2016 West African outbreak. Participants who had traveled internationally and were interested in getting vaccinated were more likely to be willing to pay.
University of Alberta researchers have found the Ebola polymerase enzyme, which may lead to more effective research and better treatments for the often fatal infection. The discovery allows for the study of Ebola inhibitors in any lab environment, accelerating the search for antiviral medicines.
Researchers at the University of Guelph have made a breakthrough in combating Ebola with an innovative antibody delivery method. The approach delivers monoclonal antibodies through a viral vector, bypassing the need for a natural immune response, offering 100-per-cent protection against Ebola infection in mice.
Scientists at Texas Biomedical Research Institute are set to test the experimental Ebola treatment ZMapp, which showed a 91% probability of preventing mortality in a previous study. The trial is part of a $2 million contract with Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc. and aims to determine the effectiveness of the therapy.
The 2014 Ebola outbreak had a significant impact on Liberia's healthcare system, with a 67.3% drop in clinic visits and 35.2% decrease in first ANC visits four months into the outbreak. However, health system outputs began rebounding by November 2016, with all systems exceeding pre-Ebola forecasted trends for three consecutive months.
Researchers at Lehigh University aim to elucidate the biomechanical mechanism of Ebola-host cell interaction using computational molecular adhesion mechanics and single-molecule force spectroscopy. Their goal is to provide new pharmacological targets for antiviral drug development.
A study found that Ebola virus infects reproductive organs of macaques, suggesting similar infection in humans. The virus can persist in female reproductive tissues and may reach seminal fluid in men.
Researchers at Hokkaido University identified a key process enabling Ebola virus entry, targeting antiviral drug development.
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered the workings of a promising treatment for Marburg virus, which has a mortality rate of up to 88 percent. The treatment, MR191, targets a conserved site on the virus and neutralizes it by mimicking the host receptor.
Researchers have discovered a way to prevent the Ebola virus from spreading by inhibiting a specific enzyme that allows it to copy itself. By blocking this enzyme, the virus's ability to produce more infection is reduced, suggesting potential breakthrough in treatment.
Researchers found that Ebola survivors' immune systems may provide some protection against future infection. The study, led by UCLA, located 14 survivors of the 1976 outbreak who still lived in the same remote villages.
A new report highlights how the King's Sierra Leone Partnership joined forces with local mental health professionals to improve psychiatric healthcare during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. The partnership created a nurse-led mental health and psychosocial support service, strengthening skills of non-specialist nurses, which led to the establ...
Scientists have identified two biomarkers that accurately predict patient survival in Ebola cases. The study analyzed blood samples from survivors and fatal cases, revealing distinct metabolic responses and immune-related molecules. These findings could improve treatment allocation and patient outcomes.
A research team led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison has identified 11 biomarkers that distinguish fatal Ebola infections from nonfatal ones. These biomarkers may aid in future treatment efforts and help clinicians prioritize scarce resources for the sickest patients.
Researchers found that people generalize knowledge from similar animals to those they encounter, leading to increased risk perception. This study highlights the importance of understanding inductive reasoning in health communication and its potential impact on public health.
Two Ebola vaccine candidates elicited strong and long-lasting immune responses in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The study found that 71% of one vaccine and 84% of another developed antibodies to the Ebola virus within a month, with antibody responses maintained for at least a year.
A new study assesses pandemic potential in Africa prior to outbreaks, mapping vulnerabilities to mitigate the spread of Ebola and other deadly viruses. Researchers identify high-risk locations, including parts of Central African Republic, Chad, Somalia, and South Sudan, highlighting the need for targeted preparedness activities.
Researchers found that the Ebola virus exploits a protein called Tim-1 in T-cells to spread and cause disease. The study suggests that blocking this protein could lead to effective treatments for Ebola.
Scientists have discovered that the Ebola virus directly interacts with T-cells and specifically Tim-1, triggering a cytokine storm. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of Ebola infection and offers potential targets for therapeutic strategies to reduce the severity of the disease.
Researchers found utilizing local artists' images and dialects helped address misperceptions about Ebola treatment, involving trusted messengers for two-way communication. The study's evidence-based approach can inform message development and implementation during public health emergencies.
Researchers identified a signature of five early innate immune markers correlating with antibody titers after vaccination, providing insight into VSV-based vaccine efficacy. The study's findings could lead to accelerated vaccine development and improved emergency vaccine strategies.
Researchers found that changing routine boarding protocols could reduce the spread of disease on commercial airliners. A two-zone system where passengers board at random is suggested as a more efficient way to prevent infection.
A recent study published in the Journal of Virology has pinpointed how a tiny protein speeds up Ebola's contagiousness. The researchers identified that the delta peptide weakens protective membranes in gastrointestinal cells, allowing viruses to enter and wreak havoc.
Researchers Kartik Chandran and Jonathan Lai will develop broadly active monoclonal antibody therapies for Ebola and extend the strategy to Marburg virus. They will also investigate how hantaviruses enter the human body.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care found that Ebola virus RNA can persist in the semen of survivors for more than two years after infection. This persistence has important implications for transmission and may require an update to World Health Organization guidelines.
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.
Researchers analyzed cerebrospinal fluid from Ebola survivors and found no viral RNA, but the results may suggest potential for dormant virus transmission. The findings highlight the need for monitoring EVD survivors for neurologic symptoms suggesting relapse in the CNS.
A phase 1 randomized controlled trial found an Ebola virus disease vaccine developed in Canada to be well-tolerated and effective, with high antibodies present six months after immunization. The vaccine showed no safety concerns and was well-received by participants.
In response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), RTI International is working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners to strengthen local surveillance systems. The average case fatality rate for Ebola is around 50%, and there have been over 100 contacts under daily monitoring.
Researchers at Tulane University have identified a possible explanation for the rapid spread of the Ebola virus, pinpointing a small protein as the culprit. The delta peptide, produced in large amounts during infection, damages host cells and may contribute to severe gastrointestinal symptoms, leading to high mortality rates.
Researchers found that Ebola virus binds directly to white blood cells, causing their death and disrupting the immune system. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of Ebola infection and may lead to the development of targeted therapies for Ebola virus disease.
Scientists identified two human antibodies that neutralize multiple ebolavirus species, offering potential treatments for people infected with Ebola virus or related viruses. These broadly protective antibodies could provide a basis for therapeutic pan-ebolavirus antibody treatments and vaccines.
Scientists have identified two natural human antibodies that can neutralize all five known ebolaviruses, offering a breakthrough in the fight against these deadly viruses. The antibodies work by interfering with the virus's ability to infect cells, preventing it from multiplying and causing disease.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that undiagnosed Ebola virus infection was probably very rare among international healthcare workers deployed during the 2013-2015 outbreak. Despite asymptomatic cases occurring, no evidence of missed infections was found, but 'near miss' exposure incidents were common, putting frontline wor...
A new study found that responders to the West African Ebola epidemic showed little evidence of infection, with 99% showing no signs. Despite reported near-miss exposures and symptoms, many respondents were not tested for Ebola virus at the time, highlighting the need for standardized protocols.
A new management approach developed by an international team of researchers, including the University of Warwick, helps to streamline outbreak decision-making. The approach identifies two effective strategies: reducing transmission rates at funerals and in communities, such as educating people about disease transmission.
Researchers found that around 15% of Ebola survivors have distinctive retinal scars, which appear specific to the disease but spare vision. The study also suggests that aqueous fluid analysis can help diagnose Ebola eye disease and enable access to cataract surgery for affected survivors
A new method pinpoints critical information needed to improve management decisions during a disease outbreak. The approach provides two important pieces of information: the best course of action and highlighted gaps in knowledge that matter for intervention strategies.
Researchers have identified early plasma cytokine signatures that correlate with and predict the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of vaccines based on living viruses. This breakthrough can inform and accelerate rational development of new vaccines, especially during outbreaks and epidemics.
A 2015 NIH study analyzed daily gene activation in an Ebola patient and found a marked decline in antiviral responses before virus clearance from white blood cells. The study showed host responses shifted toward cellular and organ repair, coinciding with clinical improvement.
An international effort analyzed 1,610 Ebola virus genomes from the 2013-2016 West African epidemic, revealing insights into factors that sped or slowed the outbreak. The study found that cities played a major role in the magnitude of the epidemic and that distance between cities was key to sparing nearby regions from severe epidemics.
Researchers analyzed a patient's progression through Ebola virus disease and recovery to identify distinct phases of physiological responses. The study also characterized serum from healthy volunteers receiving the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, identifying six markers that predict adverse reactions.
A recent study suggests that current CDC and WHO guidelines may not be sufficient to protect sewer workers from the risk of contracting Ebola through inhalation. The researchers found that worker inhalation exposure to Ebolavirus-contaminated aerosols in the sewer is a concern that needs to be addressed.
A large clinical trial is being conducted to identify the most promising Ebola vaccination regimens to protect people from the disease. The PREVAC trial will enroll over 5,000 adults and children in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to evaluate three experimental vaccine strategies.
A successful antibody treatment protected nonhuman primates against the deadly Marburg and Ravn viruses even when given five days after becoming infected. Monoclonal antibodies show promise in providing protection during advanced stages of disease with highly dangerous viruses.
Scientists have successfully treated guinea pigs and rhesus monkeys with a monoclonal antibody to cure Marburg and Ravn viruses. The treatment, MR191-N, provided up to 100% protection when administered within 5 days of infection, offering new hope for preventing and treating filovirus outbreaks.
During the West African Ebola crisis, bushmeat consumption decreased overall, but remained constant for wealthier households. Knowledge about Ebola risks reduced consumption among households that knew the risks.
Researchers found that inhibiting Toll-like receptor 4 activation can silence Ebola virus-infected macrophages, a potential treatment option. The study also suggests this approach could work for other hemorrhagic fever viruses.
A pilot study of an interferon drug has shown promising results in treating Ebola patients, with a 67% increase in survival rates compared to those receiving only supportive care. The treatment also relieved clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea earlier than those not treated with the drug.
New research examines the impact of Ebola virus proteins packaged in exosomes on the immune system, impairing its ability to fight off the infection. The study highlights the potential for exosomal VP40 to have a substantial impact on Ebola virus disease.
A Phase 1 clinical trial found that a two-vaccine regimen against Ebola virus disease induced an immune response that persisted for approximately one year in healthy adult volunteers. The investigational vaccines used harmless viral vectors to deliver proteins of the Ebola virus, prompting an immune response.
A new study found that Ebola vaccines provide durable immune responses at one year after vaccination, with 100% of recipients retaining Ebola virus glycoprotein-specific antibodies. The heterologous primary and booster vaccination schedule showed long-lasting immunity, exceeding eight months after primary immunization.