Articles tagged with Ebola Virus
A Rutgers researcher has received a $640,000 NIH grant to develop a rapid Ebola test that can be used in remote locations where the disease has spread. The test, modeled after an existing tuberculosis test, will diagnose patients quickly and accurately, reducing the need for isolation and treatment delays.
The National Science Foundation has awarded rapid response grants to support researchers in understanding the fundamental nature of Ebola and its impact on public safety. The grants will fund projects that explore new methods for virus detection, disinfection, and medical response, as well as research into risk assessment and behavior.
Ebola virus disease is a febrile illness with severe gastrointestinal symptoms that can cause profound water and electrolyte depletion leading to circulatory collapse and death. Implementing practical protocols for managing fluids and electrolytes has not been given sufficient priority, which could substantially reduce the death rate.
A team of researchers will assess the ability of Nanotrap technology to detect Ebola virus in saliva, offering a safer and more accurate testing method. The project aims to address the dire need for better testing methods for Ebola, using non-invasive saliva collection and highly sensitive diagnostic tests.
The authors of a Transfusion commentary argue that forgoing routine lab tests may compromise patients' health more than any reduction in the risk of transmission. Experts recommend implementing well-characterized infection prevention and control recommendations to provide a safe environment for both patients and employees.
The NIAID/GSK Ebola vaccine candidate was well-tolerated and produced immune system responses in all 20 healthy adults who received it. The vaccine induced a T-cell response, including CD8 T cells, which may play an important role in immune protection against Ebola viruses.
Researchers discovered that a key Ebola virus protein can trigger an excessive immune response, leading to massive inflammation and increased vascular permeability. This finding suggests a potential new target for reducing the severity of Ebola disease.
A new protocol for imaging Ebola patients has been developed to minimize risk of exposure, using portable computed radiography and thorough decontamination procedures. The step-by-step guide is published in the American Journal of Roentgenology and aims to improve physicians' ability to rapidly evaluate suspected cases.
Radiologists have issued a special report on radiology preparedness for handling cases of Ebola virus, outlining protocols and recommendations for healthcare administrators. The report emphasizes the importance of clear communication, proper equipment use, and specialized isolation units to prevent infection of medical personnel.
Researchers have developed a new method to sequence Ebola virus genomes, reducing contaminating human RNA from 80% to less than 0.5%. The approach has been proven effective in the rapid sequencing of nearly 100 patient blood samples with a turnaround time of 10 days.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified vulnerable sites on the surface of Ebola virus that are targeted by the antibodies in ZMapp, a drug cocktail administered to patients during the 2014 outbreak. The study provides insights into how ZMapp works and suggests strategies to improve it.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researcher Timothy Roberton found that a lack of trust among community members and frontline health workers contributed to the spread of Ebola. In Guinea, villagers refused to listen to public health messages, ignoring advice on how to protect themselves from the disease.
For the first time, clinicians have successfully provided hemodialysis to a patient with Ebola virus disease, resulting in recovery of kidney function. The protocol involved careful measures to maximize safety and minimize risk of secondary transmission, demonstrating that renal replacement therapies can be provided safely.
A mathematical model predicts that around 10 of 29 people with Ebola are likely to be detected at airport screening when trying to travel from West Africa to the UK and US by the end of the year.
The article highlights the link between animal health, human health, and the environment in the emergence of infectious diseases. Key findings include the need to build capacity in developing regions and the importance of One Health approach.
The Ebola pandemic serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. The study emphasizes the urgent need to adopt a One Health approach to detect and prevent infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries.
Researchers have designed peptides to target Ebola's N-trimer protein, allowing for universal inhibition across all known and future strains. This approach enables the selection of effective drugs that block virus entry into cells.
A single-dose Ebola vaccine given to primates through their noses and lungs protected them against infection for at least 21 weeks. The vaccine's effectiveness could help prevent the spread of Ebola and other diseases through unintentional pricks.
A new analysis suggests the Ebola fatality rate is over 70%, far higher than the initial 50% estimate, with the total number of affected individuals potentially exceeding 1 million by early next year. The exponential growth of cases raises concerns about exporting the disease to other countries and sparking a global humanitarian crisis.
Researchers discovered that Ebola and Marburg viruses edit their genetic material by adding extra nucleotides to their RNA. This process, known as RNA editing, was previously unknown in these viruses and could lead to a better understanding of their biology and the development of new treatments.
A nasal vaccine in development has been shown to provide long-term protection for non-human primates against the deadly Ebola virus. The vaccine platform has significant global implications in controlling future outbreaks, which could have a fatality rate as low as 25-90%.
A non-injectable vaccine has been shown to provide long-term protection for non-human primates against the Ebola virus. The breathable vaccine overcomes logistical obstacles of storing and administering injectable vaccines in affected areas.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill have developed a genetic strain of mice that accurately reflect human Ebola symptoms. The new mouse model enables rapid development of potential vaccines and treatments, addressing the global public health crisis caused by Ebola.
A new mouse model reveals that genetic factors play a significant role in the severity of Ebola disease. Research suggests that certain genetic lines of mice are more resistant to the virus, while others are highly susceptible to severe illness and death. The findings could lead to rapid development of candidate therapeutics and vaccines.
Researchers recommend shifting from expanding to declining Ebola epidemic through hygienic funeral practices, case isolation, contact tracing, and better health worker protection. Achieving these goals at a success rate of about 60 percent could ultimately curtail the epidemic in Liberia.
The Lancet Commission argues that cultural understanding is crucial for advancing healthcare and prioritizing individual and community wellbeing. The commission highlights the need for greater recognition of cultural assumptions and biases among medical professionals.
Researchers developed a random transmission model to determine how disease progression and case fatality affect transmission and patient isolation. Isolating the sickest Ebola-infected individuals before they progress into their late phase of illness can effectively eliminate the Ebola epidemic in Liberia.
The International Union of Immunology Societies is urging urgent funding and implementation of Ebola vaccine trials. Several promising vaccine candidates, including Cad3 Ebola and rVSV-ΔG-ZEBOV, are being tested in phase 1 clinical trials, showing safe and efficient results in non-human primates.
Only 6% of US hospitals are well-prepared to receive a patient with the Ebola virus, highlighting inadequate personnel and resources. APIC urges facilities to assess their infection prevention programs to protect healthcare workers, patients, and the public.
The article provides guidelines for humanitarian volunteers during the Ebola outbreak, emphasizing the importance of thorough training and preparation. It highlights the need for experienced physicians and organizations to prioritize volunteer well-being and safety.
A new study has found that filoviruses, the family housing Ebola and Marburg, are at least 16-23 million years old. This pushes back their evolutionary roots and provides insight into the historical relationship between these two lethal viruses.
A research team led by the University of Liverpool is testing the safety and efficacy of using Ebola survivors' blood to treat patients in West Africa. The study aims to reduce deaths from the outbreak by finding a safe and effective therapy.
Researchers have developed a new method for using engineered gene circuits in a cell-free, paper-based system to detect deadly viruses like Ebola. The low-cost platform could enable rapid detection of different strains of the virus.
A new study predicts that current international efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak in Montserrado, Liberia, will not be sufficient to contain the epidemic. The research estimates that up to 170996 total cases and 90122 deaths are projected by December 15, 2014, without expanded control measures.
A new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases predicts that the Ebola epidemic in West Africa will worsen unless international aid is significantly increased. The model developed by Yale researchers estimates tens of thousands of new cases and deaths by December 15 if current efforts are not intensified.
A Michigan State University study of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic offers insights into infection control measures for the flu and other epidemic diseases. The research found that locations close to an entry point will have extremely short windows of time to deal with a virulent pathogen, emphasizing emergency management.
The NIH is conducting an early phase trial to evaluate the VSV-ZEBOV vaccine candidate, which was developed by researchers at Canada's National Microbiology Lab. The trial will enroll 39 healthy adults aged 18-65 and assess the vaccine's safety and ability to generate an immune response.
Researchers predict that without effective exit screening, Ebola-infected travelers will continue to pose a significant risk of international spread. With 2-3 cases predicted to travel abroad every month, countries with limited medical resources may struggle to respond effectively to imported cases.
A study published in The Lancet suggests that controlling Ebola outbreaks at the source in West Africa is the most effective way to prevent international spread. Focusing on exit screening for travelers leaving affected countries can be a more efficient approach than entry screening.
The Journal of Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness has launched a special issue on Ebola, featuring a clinician primer prepared by Dr. Eric Toner and colleagues. The primer covers the history, epidemiology, microbiology, clinical manifestations, biosafety, prevention, treatment, and experimental vaccines of the Ebola virus.
Experts warn conventional US medical centers may struggle to manage Ebola due to lack of preparedness and training. Regional referral centers could help address the shortage of high-level biocontainment patient facilities.
The NIH has granted a license agreement for a candidate Ebola vaccine that also protects against the rabies virus. Studies have shown the vaccines are safe and induce immune responses in monkeys, offering protection against the Zaire strain of Ebola.
The study found that measles death rates were 197 times greater in developing countries than in developed countries, while syphilis death rates were 33-45 times higher. Ebola mortality rates were also significantly higher in developing countries, with 4,447 deaths compared to just two in developed nations.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has begun a clinical trial in health care workers in Mali to evaluate a promising experimental Ebola vaccine. The vaccine, developed by the Vaccine Research Center at NIAID, has shown highly protective immune responses in animal model challenge studies.
Researchers analyzed Ebola data to estimate case fatality rates and impact of control measures on epidemic size. They found that swift interventions can halt transmission and prevent outbreaks, with Nigeria's response being a successful example.
The Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health is launching a special issue on Ebola, providing timely expert information to address the virus. The journal aims to translate science into practice, integrating medical and public health perspectives to effectively deal with major events.
A new study reports the discovery of a universally conserved drug target for Ebola, which can be used to develop effective anti-Ebola agents against all known species. The researchers have produced a peptide mimic that displays a functionally critical region of the virus, making it suitable for use in high-throughput drug screens.
A new study analyzing the first outbreak of Ebola in 1976 found that reducing community transmission and changing behavior were crucial to controlling the outbreak. The study suggests that if communities had not changed their behavior, the outbreak could have been much larger, with potentially devastating consequences.
Researchers predict 6,800 new Ebola cases in West Africa by end of month due to increased rate of rise in August. Mass quarantine efforts may have worsened the outbreak by crowding people together in unsanitary conditions.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Institute have discovered new cellular factors essential for CCHFV infection, revealing the site where a drug therapy would need to act. The findings suggest that multivesicular bodies are critical for CCHFV replication and hold promise for broad-spectrum antiviral treatments.
Researchers create a new tool to study Ebola virus in wildlife using fecal samples, providing insights into the virus' distribution and potentially changing disease understanding. The method detects antibodies against Ebola virus in ape feces, suggesting some apes survive exposure.
Researchers at the University of Warwick found that a mathematical model replicating Ebola outbreaks can no longer predict its scale. The current outbreak is 'out of all proportion' and defies previous patterns.
A team of scientists at UVA has obtained the crystal structure of a key Ebola virus protein, revealing a novel tertiary fold that could lead to insights into viral assembly and antiviral drug design. The study's results may provide a potential target for the development of new treatments for Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa requires a rapid global response to contain the virus, which has already killed nearly 2000 people and may infect up to 20,000. Experts warn that fear, mistrust, and lack of resources are exacerbating the situation.
Penn Medicine bioethicists emphasize the duty to provide humanitarian assistance, global justice, and ethical requirements to combat the Ebola outbreak. The experts also discuss the importance of randomized clinical trials in advancing research and ensuring fair benefits for communities affected by the disease.
Researchers analyzed case counts to find consistent high transmission rates, with Liberia and Sierra Leone reporting one to two new cases for every existing case. The study suggests that controlling the epidemic could be achieved by preventing more than half of secondary transmissions.
Researchers have successfully tested a new vaccine regimen that provides rapid protection against Ebola virus in monkeys, with some animals remaining protected for up to 10 months after vaccination. The experimental ChAd3 Ebola vaccine demonstrated strong immune responses in both single-dose and prime-boost regimens.
Researchers have identified a potential therapeutic approach against Ebola virus infection by targeting cellular proteins critical for the virus's functions. Oubain, a drug previously used to treat heart disease, has been shown to reduce virus replication in infected cells.
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.
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.