Abstract
Humans constantly encounter threats from many infectious, zoonotic, and devastating pathogens. Outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), bird flu, and swine flu posing pandemic threats have compelled health agencies to follow global preparedness for combating the emerging deadly pathogens. The outbreak in West Africa of highly contagious Ebola viral disease (EVD) that started in Guinea in December 2013, assumed global proportions to become the largest outbreak of EVD and the most prominent international health concern. With fatality rates of nearly 50%-90%, it has claimed, as of 11 April 2015, 10,619 human lives out of a total of 25,626 cases reported worldwide. Ebola virus (EBOV), a member of Filoviridae family, is associated with severe, often lethal, hemorrhagic fever disease in humans and animals. The animal hosts, including non-human primates and reservoir hosts (fruit bats), play a significant role in transmission and maintenance of EBOV in nature. Although no approved vaccine for the prevention of EVD currently exists, disease control can be greatly enhanced by timely laboratory confirmation through blood tests using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Adherence to strict sanitary and hygienic measures, monitoring and surveillance of EBOV, as well as quarantine checks on international trade, transport, and visitors from affected countries are mandatory to prevent and control the spread of EVD. This review describes the salient properties of EBOV and the development of novel diagnostics, vaccines, and control strategies for this emerging disease of high public health concern and international emergency.
Highlights
Ebola virus disease (EVD) caused by the Ebola virus (EBOV), which was identified almost four decades ago in 1976, is an emerging and re-emerging zoonosis
The present review describes the salient properties and features of the EBOV as well as its epidemiology, transmission, pathology, and the recent advances in the area of diagnosis, vaccination, prevention, treatment, and control of EVD
Plant-based production of ZMapps has been suggested as a way forward to ensure bulk production of ZMapps required for treating large number of Ebola\-infected patients, since monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) expressed in the glycomodified Nicothiana benthamiana plants showed superior antiEBOV efficacy in animal models compared to those produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells [79]
Summary
Ebola virus disease (EVD) caused by the Ebola virus (EBOV), which was identified almost four decades ago in 1976, is an emerging and re-emerging zoonosis. The mononuclear phagocytes such as monocytes and macrophages, and other cells such as endothelial cells and hepatocytes, are the major targets of EBOV infection [43] The pathogenesis involves both the host and virus-encoded proteins, and it leads to the release of higher amount of inflammatory cytokines, namely IFN-γ, IFN-α, interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and IL-10, which are responsible for EBOV hemorrhages and fatality [44]. Positive results in antibody detection tests reveal EVD, but a negative result will not indicate the patient to be free of EBOV because antibodies will be developed only in the later stage of the disease; due to high lethality of the disease, the chances of a person escaping the early phase of infection are lower.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
