scholarly journals Tolerance and Persistence of Ebola Virus in Primary Cells from Mops condylurus, a Potential Ebola Virus Reservoir

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2186
Author(s):  
Marcel Bokelmann ◽  
Uwe Vogel ◽  
Franka Debeljak ◽  
Ariane Düx ◽  
Silke Riesle-Sbarbaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Integral Membrane Protein ◽  
Reservoir Host ◽  
Primary Cells ◽  
Cytopathic Effects ◽  
Ebov Infection

Although there have been documented Ebola virus disease outbreaks for more than 40 years, the natural reservoir host has not been identified. Recent studies provide evidence that the Angolan free-tailed bat (Mops condylurus), an insectivorous microbat, is a possible ebolavirus reservoir. To investigate the potential role of this bat species in the ecology of ebolaviruses, replication, tolerance, and persistence of Ebola virus (EBOV) were investigated in 10 different primary bat cell isolates from M. condylurus. Varying EBOV replication kinetics corresponded to the expression levels of the integral membrane protein NPC1. All primary cells were highly tolerant to EBOV infection without cytopathic effects. The observed persistent EBOV infection for 150 days in lung primary cells, without resultant selective pressure leading to virus mutation, indicate the intrinsic ability of EBOV to persist in this bat species. These results provide further evidence for this bat species to be a likely reservoir of ebolaviruses.

scholarly journals Modeling the role of public health education in Ebola virus disease outbreaks in Sudan

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Levy ◽  
Christina Edholm ◽  
Orou Gaoue ◽  
Roselyn Kaondera-Shava ◽  
Moatlhodi Kgosimore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease

Evaluating implementation of the Ebola response in Margibi County, Liberia

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 510-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles E Sepers ◽  
Stephen B Fawcett ◽  
Ithar Hassaballa ◽  
Florence DiGennaro Reed ◽  
Jerry Schultz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation System ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Distinct Pattern ◽  
Control Disease ◽  
Key Events ◽  
Document Review

Summary Implementation of the Ebola response was credited with reducing incidence of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa; however little is known about the amount and kind of Ebola response activities that were ultimately successful in addressing the 2014 outbreak. We collaboratively monitored Ebola response activities and associated effects in Margibi County, Liberia, a rural county in Liberia deeply affected by the outbreak. We used a participatory monitoring and evaluation system, including key informant interviews and document review, to systematically document activities, code them, characterize their contextual features, and discover and communicate patterns in Ebola response activities to essential stakeholders. We also measured incidence of EVD over time. Results showed a distinct pattern in Ebola response activities and key events, which corresponded with subsequent decreased EVD incidence. These data are suggestive of the role of Ebola response activities played in reducing the incidence of EVD within Margibi County, which included implementing safe burials, social mobilization and community engagement and case management. Systematic monitoring and evaluation of response activities to control disease outbreaks holds lessons for implementing and evaluating similar comprehensive and multi-sectoral community health efforts.

Treatment of ebola and other infectious diseases: melatonin “goes viral”

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russel J Reiter ◽  
Qiang Ma ◽  
Ramaswamy Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Hemorrhagic Shock ◽  
Safety Profile ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Attractive Potential ◽  
Potential Treatment

This review summarizes published reports on the utility of melatonin as a treatment for virus-mediated diseases. Of special note are the data related to the role of melatonin in influencing Ebola virus disease. This infection and deadly condition has no effective treatment and the published works documenting the ability of melatonin to attenuate the severity of viral infections generally and Ebola infection specifically are considered. The capacity of melatonin to prevent one of the major complications of an Ebola infection, i.e., the hemorrhagic shock syndrome, which often contributes to the high mortality rate, is noteworthy. Considering the high safety profile of melatonin, the fact that it is easily produced, inexpensive and can be self-administered makes it an attractive potential treatment for Ebola virus pathology.  

scholarly journals Statins Suppress Ebola Virus Infectivity by Interfering with Glycoprotein Processing

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Punya Shrivastava-Ranjan ◽  
Mike Flint ◽  
Éric Bergeron ◽  
Anita K. McElroy ◽  
Payel Chatterjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Statin Treatment ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Virus Infectivity ◽  
Viral Glycoprotein ◽  
Antiviral Effects ◽  
Ebov Infection ◽  
Glycoprotein Processing

ABSTRACTEbola virus (EBOV) infection is a major public health concern due to high fatality rates and limited effective treatments. Statins, widely used cholesterol-lowering drugs, have pleiotropic mechanisms of action and were suggested as potential adjunct therapy for Ebola virus disease (EVD) during the 2013–2016 outbreak in West Africa. Here, we evaluated the antiviral effects of statin (lovastatin) on EBOV infectionin vitro. Statin treatment decreased infectious EBOV production in primary human monocyte-derived macrophages and in the hepatic cell line Huh7. Statin treatment did not interfere with viral entry, but the viral particles released from treated cells showed reduced infectivity due to inhibition of viral glycoprotein processing, as evidenced by decreased ratios of the mature glycoprotein form to precursor form. Statin-induced inhibition of infectious virus production and glycoprotein processing was reversed by exogenous mevalonate, the rate-limiting product of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, but not by low-density lipoprotein. Finally, statin-treated cells produced EBOV particles devoid of the surface glycoproteins required for virus infectivity. Our findings demonstrate that statin treatment inhibits EBOV infection and suggest that the efficacy of statin treatment should be evaluated in appropriate animal models of EVD.IMPORTANCETreatments targeting Ebola virus disease (EVD) are experimental, expensive, and scarce. Statins are inexpensive generic drugs that have been used for many years for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and have a favorable safety profile. Here, we show the antiviral effects of statins on infectious Ebola virus (EBOV) production. Our study reveals a novel molecular mechanism in which statin regulates EBOV particle infectivity by preventing glycoprotein processing and incorporation into virus particles. Additionally, statins have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Since inflammation and dysregulation of the immune system are characteristic features of EVD, statins could be explored as part of EVD therapeutics.

Characterization of an Anti-Ebola virus Hyperimmune Globulin Derived from Convalescent Plasma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M Ciencewicki ◽  
Andrew S Herbert ◽  
Nadia Storm ◽  
Nicole M Josleyn ◽  
Kathleen Huie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Live Virus ◽  
Glycoprotein Antigen ◽  
Ebov Infection ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract Backrgound Convalescent plasma has been used to treat many viral diseases including Ebola. The manufacture of a purified anti-Ebola virus (EBOV) intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) from pooled convalescent plasma is described in this paper. Methods An ELISA targeting an EBOV surface glycoprotein antigen was used to determine the immunoglobulin titer of pooled plasma and purified anti-EBOV IVIG. Anti-EBOV IVIG was also tested in neutralization assays using a vesicular stomatitis virus pseudovirion expressing EBOV glycoprotein on its surface and with live EBOV. Finally, the efficacy of the anti-EBOV IVIG was assessed in a mouse model of EBOV infection. Results In the ELISA, the anti-EBOV IVIG was shown to have a seven-fold increase in IgG titer over pooled convalescent plasma. In both the pseudovirion and live virus assays, the anti-EBOV IVIG showed approximately five- to six-fold increased potency over pooled plasma. Anti-EBOV IVIG also significantly improved survivability in mice infected with the virus when administered concurrently or two days after infection. Conclusions These data support this purified anti-EBOV IVIG merits additional investigation and clinical trials for treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis of Ebola virus disease. The experience gained can be applied to manufacture hyperimmune globulins against other emerging viruses.

Palliative care for children with communicable illnesses

2021 ◽  
pp. 304-322
Author(s):  
Michelle Meiring ◽  
Tonya Arscott-Mills
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Humanitarian Response ◽  
Care Approach ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Communicable Illness

Whilst non-communicable diseases provided the impetus for the development of children’s palliative care (CPC) in the developed world, it was a single communicable illness human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) that was the catalyst for the development of many CPC programmes in the developing world. Whilst considerable gains have been made in preventing and controlling paediatric AIDS globally, there is still benefit to an integrated palliative care approach to the care of these children and especially for those living in countries without access to anti-retrovirals. Furthermore, there are many other communicable diseases associated with significant health-related suffering in children that could benefit from palliative care. This chapter proposes grouping these diseases using the well-known Association for Children with Terminal Conditions (ACT) categorization and discusses examples of important communicable diseases in each category. The need for improved CPC as part of the humanitarian response to acute communicable disease outbreaks such as Ebola virus disease is also explored.

scholarly journals Knowledge and perception of the role of water, sanitation and hygiene in containment of Ebola virus disease among secondary school students in Ibadan, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 635-643
Author(s):  
Faith I. Edoror ◽  
Elizabeth O. Oloruntoba ◽  
Shade J. Akinsete
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
School Students ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Ibadan Nigeria

Abstract This study assessed the knowledge and perception of the role of water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the containment of Ebola virus disease (EVD) among secondary school students in Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 420 students from eight schools (public and private) in Ibadan was conducted. A semi-structured questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression at 5% level of significance. Overall, 60% reported EVD was airborne. A majority (71%) of the respondents had good knowledge of EVD, while a majority (92%) had a good perception of the role of WASH in EVD containment. Class of respondents was significantly (p = 0.045) associated with knowledge of WASH. Although schools had satisfactory sanitary facilities, only a few (21%) sustained good hygiene practices at the end of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. Our findings revealed suboptimal knowledge on transmission of EVD, and unsustainable hygiene practices among secondary students post-Nigeria's EVD outbreak. High priority should be given to hygiene education among educators and students. Implementation of monitoring and evaluation of hygiene behaviour among secondary school students should also be a priority.

scholarly journals Inflammatory and Humoral Immune Response during Ebola Virus Infection in Survivor and Fatal Cases Occurred in Sierra Leone during the 2014–2016 Outbreak in West Africa

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Colavita ◽  
Mirella Biava ◽  
Concetta Castilletti ◽  
Simone Lanini ◽  
Rossella Miccio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Late Phase ◽  
Treatment Center ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Western Africa ◽  
Ebov Infection

Ebola virus (EBOV) infection is characterized by an excessive inflammatory response, a loss of lymphocytes and a general paralysis of the immune system, however pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. In a cohort of 23 fatal and 21 survivors of ebola virus disease (EVD) cases admitted to the Emergency Ebola-Treatment-Center in Goderich (Freetown, Sierra Leone) during the 2014 to 2016 EBOV epidemic in Western Africa, we analyzed the pathway-focused gene expression profile of secreted proteins involved in the immune response and the levels of specific anti-EBOV IgM and IgG from the time of admission till discharge or death. We observed a dysregulated inflammatory response in fatal patients as compared to survivors, mainly consisting of the upregulation of inflammatory mediators, whose extent directly correlated with viremia levels. The upregulation persisted and intensified during the late phase of infection. Relevant differences were also found in humoral immunity, as an earlier and more robust EBOV antibody response was observed in survivor patients.

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