-
Nature Reviews. Disease Primers Feb 2020Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe and frequently lethal disease caused by Ebola virus (EBOV). EVD outbreaks typically start from a single case of probable zoonotic... (Review)
Review
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe and frequently lethal disease caused by Ebola virus (EBOV). EVD outbreaks typically start from a single case of probable zoonotic transmission, followed by human-to-human transmission via direct contact or contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated fomites. EVD has a high case-fatality rate; it is characterized by fever, gastrointestinal signs and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Diagnosis requires a combination of case definition and laboratory tests, typically real-time reverse transcription PCR to detect viral RNA or rapid diagnostic tests based on immunoassays to detect EBOV antigens. Recent advances in medical countermeasure research resulted in the recent approval of an EBOV-targeted vaccine by European and US regulatory agencies. The results of a randomized clinical trial of investigational therapeutics for EVD demonstrated survival benefits from two monoclonal antibody products targeting the EBOV membrane glycoprotein. New observations emerging from the unprecedented 2013-2016 Western African EVD outbreak (the largest in history) and the ongoing EVD outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have substantially improved the understanding of EVD and viral persistence in survivors of EVD, resulting in new strategies toward prevention of infection and optimization of clinical management, acute illness outcomes and attendance to the clinical care needs of patients.
Topics: Africa, Western; Ebolavirus; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola; Humans; Pandemics
PubMed: 32080199
DOI: 10.1038/s41572-020-0147-3 -
Folia Medica Cracoviensia 2014Epidemic of Ebola hemorrhagic fever which appeared in the countries of West Africa in 2014, is the largest outbreak which occurred so far. The virus causing this... (Review)
Review
Epidemic of Ebola hemorrhagic fever which appeared in the countries of West Africa in 2014, is the largest outbreak which occurred so far. The virus causing this epidemic, Zaire Ebolavirus (ZEBOV), along with four other species of Ebolaviruses is classified to the genus Ebolavirus in the family Filoviridae. ZEBOV is one of the most virulent pathogens among the viral haemorrhagic fevers, and case fatality rates up to 90% have been reported. Mortality is the result of multi-organ failure and severe bleeding complications. The aim of this review is to present the general characteristics of the virus and its biological properties, pathogenicity and epidemiology, with a focus on laboratory methods used in the diagnosis of these infections.
Topics: Africa, Western; Communicable Disease Control; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Ebolavirus; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola; Humans
PubMed: 25694096
DOI: No ID Found -
Cell Reports Jun 2022Emerging infectious diseases, especially if caused by bat-borne viruses, significantly affect public health and the global economy. There is an urgent need to understand... (Review)
Review
Emerging infectious diseases, especially if caused by bat-borne viruses, significantly affect public health and the global economy. There is an urgent need to understand the mechanism of interspecies transmission, particularly to humans. Viral genetics; host factors, including polymorphisms in the receptors; and ecological, environmental, and population dynamics are major parameters to consider. Here, we describe the taxonomy, geographic distribution, and unique traits of bats associated with their importance as virus reservoirs. Then, we summarize the origin, intermediate hosts, and the current understanding of interspecies transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), SARS-CoV-2, Nipah, Hendra, Ebola, Marburg virus, and rotaviruses. Finally, the molecular interactions of viral surface proteins with host cell receptors are examined, and a comparison of these interactions in humans, intermediate hosts, and bats is conducted. This uncovers adaptive mutations in virus spike protein that facilitate cross-species transmission and risk factors associated with the emergence of novel viruses from bats.
Topics: Animals; COVID-19; Chiroptera; Filoviridae; Henipavirus; Humans; Rotavirus; SARS-CoV-2; Viruses
PubMed: 35679864
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110969 -
Folia Medica Cracoviensia 2014Ebola zoonotic RNA filovirus represents human most virulent and lethal pathogens, which induces acute hemorrhagic fever and death within few days in a range of 60-90% of... (Review)
Review
Ebola zoonotic RNA filovirus represents human most virulent and lethal pathogens, which induces acute hemorrhagic fever and death within few days in a range of 60-90% of symptomatic individuals. Last outbreak in 2014 in West Africa caused panic that Ebola epidemic can be spread to other continents. Number of deaths in late December reached almost 8,000 individuals out of more than 20,000 symptomatic patients. It seems that only a coordinated international response could counteract the further spread of Ebola. Major innate immunity mechanisms against Ebola are associated with the production of interferons, that are inhibited by viral proteins. Activation of host NK cells was recognized as a leading immune function responsible for recovery of infected people. Uncontrolled cell infection by Ebola leads to an impairment of immunity with cytokine storm, coagulopathy, systemic bleeding, multi-organ failure and death. Tested prevention strategies to induce antiviral immunity include: i. recombinant virus formulations (vaccines); ii. cocktail of monoclonal antibodies (serotherapy); iii. alternative RNA-interference-based antiviral methods. Maintaining the highest standards of aseptic and antiseptic precautions is equally important. Present brief review summarizes a current knowledge concerning pathogenesis of Ebola hemorrhagic disease and the virus interaction with the immune system and discusses recent advances in prevention of Ebola infection by vaccination and serotherapy.
Topics: Africa, Western; Communicable Disease Control; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Ebola Vaccines; Ebolavirus; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola; Humans
PubMed: 25694094
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Clinical Virology : the... Mar 2015Ebolaviruses and Marburgviruses (family Filoviridae) are among the most virulent pathogens for humans and great apes causing severe haemorrhagic fever and death within a... (Review)
Review
Ebolaviruses and Marburgviruses (family Filoviridae) are among the most virulent pathogens for humans and great apes causing severe haemorrhagic fever and death within a matter of days. This group of viruses is characterized by a linear, non-segmented, single-stranded RNA genome of negative polarity. The overall burden of filovirus infections is minimal and negligible compared to the devastation caused by malnutrition and other infectious diseases prevalent in Africa such as malaria, dengue or tuberculosis. In this paper, we review the knowledge gained on the eco/epidemiology, the pathogenesis and the disease control measures for Marburg and Ebola viruses developed over the last 15 years. The overall progress is promising given the little attention that these pathogen have achieved in the past; however, more is to come over the next decade given the more recent interest in these pathogens as potential public and animal health concerns. Licensing of therapeutic and prophylactic options may be achievable over the next 5-10 years.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Ebolavirus; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola; Humans; Marburg Virus Disease; Marburgvirus; Prevalence
PubMed: 25660265
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2015.01.014 -
Viruses Jun 2016The highly pathogenic Marburg virus (MARV) is a member of the Filoviridae family and belongs to the group of nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses. Reverse genetics... (Review)
Review
The highly pathogenic Marburg virus (MARV) is a member of the Filoviridae family and belongs to the group of nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses. Reverse genetics systems established for MARV have been used to study various aspects of the viral replication cycle, analyze host responses, image viral infection, and screen for antivirals. This article provides an overview of the currently established MARV reverse genetic systems based on minigenomes, infectious virus-like particles and full-length clones, and the research that has been conducted using these systems.
Topics: Marburgvirus; Reverse Genetics; Virology
PubMed: 27338448
DOI: 10.3390/v8060178 -
Uirusu 2012Filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg viruses) cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates. No effective prophylaxis or treatment for filovirus diseases is... (Review)
Review
Filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg viruses) cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates. No effective prophylaxis or treatment for filovirus diseases is yet commercially available. Recent studies have advanced our knowledge of filovirus protein functions and interaction between viral and host factors in the replication cycle. Current findings on the ecology of filoviruses (i.e., natural infection of nonprimate animals and discovery of a new member of filoviruses in Europe) have also provided new insights into the epidemiology of Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fever. This article reviews the fundamental aspects of filovirus biology and the latest topics on filovirus research.
Topics: Animals; Cell Adhesion; Drug Discovery; Filoviridae; Filoviridae Infections; Humans; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Viral Proteins; Virion; Virus Replication
PubMed: 24153230
DOI: 10.2222/jsv.62.197 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2013A number of advances in recent years have significantly furthered our understanding of filovirus attachment and cellular tropism. For example, several cell-surface... (Review)
Review
A number of advances in recent years have significantly furthered our understanding of filovirus attachment and cellular tropism. For example, several cell-surface molecules have been identified as attachment factors with the potential to facilitate the in vivo targeting of particular cell types such as macrophages and hepatic cells. Furthermore, our knowledge of internalization and subsequent events during filovirus entry has also been widened, adding new variations to the paradigms for viral entry established for HIV and influenza. In particular, host cell factors such as endosomal proteases and the intracellular receptor Niemann-Pick C1 are now known to play a vital role in activating the membrane fusion potential of filovirus glycoproteins.
Topics: Animals; Filoviridae; Humans; Membrane Fusion; Receptors, Virus; Virus Internalization
PubMed: 23884587
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-7651-1_5 -
The Journal of General Virology Jun 2019Members of the family Filoviridae produce variously shaped, often filamentous, enveloped virions containing linear non-segmented, negative-sense RNA genomes of... (Review)
Review
Members of the family Filoviridae produce variously shaped, often filamentous, enveloped virions containing linear non-segmented, negative-sense RNA genomes of 15-19 kb. Several filoviruses (e.g., Ebola virus) are pathogenic for humans and are highly virulent. Several filoviruses infect bats (e.g., Marburg virus), whereas the hosts of most other filoviruses are unknown. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on Filoviridae, which is available at www.ictv.global/report/filoviridae.
Topics: Animals; Filoviridae; Genome, Viral; Humans; RNA, Viral
PubMed: 31021739
DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001252 -
FEMS Microbiology Reviews Sep 2015The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the largest documented for this virus. To examine the dynamics of this genome, we compare more than 100 currently available... (Review)
Review
The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the largest documented for this virus. To examine the dynamics of this genome, we compare more than 100 currently available ebolavirus genomes to each other and to other viral genomes. Based on oligomer frequency analysis, the family Filoviridae forms a distinct group from all other sequenced viral genomes. All filovirus genomes sequenced to date encode proteins with similar functions and gene order, although there is considerable divergence in sequences between the three genera Ebolavirus, Cuevavirus and Marburgvirus within the family Filoviridae. Whereas all ebolavirus genomes are quite similar (multiple sequences of the same strain are often identical), variation is most common in the intergenic regions and within specific areas of the genes encoding the glycoprotein (GP), nucleoprotein (NP) and polymerase (L). We predict regions that could contain epitope-binding sites, which might be good vaccine targets. This information, combined with glycosylation sites and experimentally determined epitopes, can identify the most promising regions for the development of therapeutic strategies.This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes. The Department of Energy will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan (http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan).
Topics: Ebolavirus; Filoviridae; Genome, Viral; Genomics
PubMed: 26175035
DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuv031