Abstract
BackgroundManagement of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has historically focused on infection prevention, case detection and supportive care. Several specific anti-Ebola therapies have been investigated, including during the 2014–2016 West African outbreak. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the effect of anti-Ebola virus therapies on clinical outcomes to guide their potential use and future evaluation.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, Global Health, Cochrane Library, African Index Medicus, WHOLIS (inception-9 April 2018), and trial registries for observational studies or clinical trials, in any language, that enrolled patients with confirmed EVD who received therapy targeting Ebola virus and reported on mortality, symptom duration, or adverse effects.ResultsFrom 11,257 citations and registered trials, we reviewed 55 full-text citations, of which 35 met eligibility criteria (1 randomized clinical trial (RCT), 8 non-randomized comparative studies, 9 case series and 17 case reports) and collectively examined 21 anti-Ebola virus agents. The 31 studies performed during the West African outbreak reported on 4.8% (1377/28616) of all patients with Ebola. The only RCT enrolled 72 patients (0.25% of all patients with Ebola) and compared the monoclonal antibody ZMapp vs. standard care (mortality, 22% vs. 37%; 95% confidence interval for risk difference, − 36 to 7%). Studies of convalescent plasma, interferon-β-1a, favipiravir, brincidofovir, artesunate-amodiaquine and TKM-130803 were associated with at least moderate risk of bias.ConclusionsResearch evaluating anti-Ebola virus agents has reached very few patients with EVD, and inferences are limited by non-randomized study designs. ZMapp has the most promising treatment signal.
Highlights
Management of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has historically focused on infection prevention, case detection and supportive care
Case management in prior Ebola virus outbreaks has generally focused on isolating patients with EVD, infection prevention and control procedures, and various degrees of basic supportive care [2]
Lee et al BMC Infectious Diseases (2019) 19:376 their net effects are unknown. To assess their potential benefit, we systematically reviewed the literature for all clinical studies that included specific anti-Ebola virus treatments administered to patients with EVD and reported on mortality, symptom duration, or adverse effects
Summary
Management of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has historically focused on infection prevention, case detection and supportive care. Case management in prior Ebola virus outbreaks has generally focused on isolating patients with EVD, infection prevention and control procedures, and various degrees of basic supportive care [2]. There was little support to conduct trials, which meant there was limited evidence to guide clinical care during the recent West Africa outbreak. Several anti-Ebola virus treatments had been offered and administered to patients in West Africa, the United States and Europe. Most of these treatments had only recently been developed, not administered as part of a methodologically rigorous study or trial design, and
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