Favipiravir: A New Medication for the Ebola Virus Disease Pandemic

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Nagata ◽  
Alan K. Lefor ◽  
Manabu Hasegawa ◽  
Masami Ishii
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
H1n1 Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Experimental Drugs ◽  
Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Antiviral Medication ◽  
Pandemic Influenza H1n1

AbstractThe purpose of this report is to advocate speedy approval and less stringent regulations for the use of experimental drugs such as favipiravir in emergencies. Favipiravir is a new antiviral medication that can be used in emerging viral pandemics such as Ebola virus, 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1 virus, Lassa fever, and Argentine hemorrhagic fever. Although favipiravir is one of the choices for the treatment of patients with Ebola virus, several concerns exist. First, a clinical trial of favipiravir in patients infected with the Ebola virus has not yet been conducted, and further studies are required. Second, favipiravir has a risk for teratogenicity and embryotoxicity. Therefore, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor of Japan has approved this medication with strict regulations for its production and clinical use. However, owing to the emerging Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, on August 15, 2014, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Labor of Japan approved the use of favipiravir, if needed. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1-3)

scholarly journals Equine-Origin Immunoglobulin Fragments Protect Nonhuman Primates from Ebola Virus Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hualei Wang ◽  
Gary Wong ◽  
Wenjun Zhu ◽  
Shihua He ◽  
Yongkun Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
West African ◽  
Clinical Testing ◽  
The Past ◽  
Over 40 Years

ABSTRACT Ebola virus (EBOV) infections result in aggressive hemorrhagic fever in humans, with fatality rates reaching 90% and with no licensed specific therapeutics to treat ill patients. Advances over the past 5 years have firmly established monoclonal antibody (MAb)-based products as the most promising therapeutics for treating EBOV infections, but production is costly and quantities are limited; therefore, MAbs are not the best candidates for mass use in the case of an epidemic. To address this need, we generated EBOV-specific polyclonal F(ab′)2 fragments from horses hyperimmunized with an EBOV vaccine. The F(ab′)2 was found to potently neutralize West African and Central African EBOV in vitro. Treatment of nonhuman primates (NHPs) with seven doses of 100 mg/kg F(ab′)2 beginning 3 or 5 days postinfection (dpi) resulted in a 100% survival rate. Notably, NHPs for which treatment was initiated at 5 dpi were already highly viremic, with observable signs of EBOV disease, which demonstrated that F(ab′)2 was still effective as a therapeutic agent even in symptomatic subjects. These results show that F(ab′)2 should be advanced for clinical testing in preparation for future EBOV outbreaks and epidemics. IMPORTANCE EBOV is one of the deadliest viruses to humans. It has been over 40 years since EBOV was first reported, but no cure is available. Research breakthroughs over the past 5 years have shown that MAbs constitute an effective therapy for EBOV infections. However, MAbs are expensive and difficult to produce in large amounts and therefore may only play a limited role during an epidemic. A cheaper alternative is required, especially since EBOV is endemic in several third world countries with limited medical resources. Here, we used a standard protocol to produce large amounts of antiserum F(ab′)2 fragments from horses vaccinated with an EBOV vaccine, and we tested the protectiveness in monkeys. We showed that F(ab′)2 was effective in 100% of monkeys even after the animals were visibly ill with EBOV disease. Thus, F(ab′)2 could be a very good option for large-scale treatments of patients and should be advanced to clinical testing.

scholarly journals Macaque Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Novel Conserved Epitopes within Filovirus Glycoprotein

2015 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 279-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen-Yong Keck ◽  
Sven G. Enterlein ◽  
Katie A. Howell ◽  
Hong Vu ◽  
Sergey Shulenin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Nonhuman Primates ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Marburg Virus ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Core

ABSTRACTFiloviruses cause highly lethal viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates. Current immunotherapeutic options for filoviruses are mostly specific to Ebola virus (EBOV), although other members ofFiloviridaesuch as Sudan virus (SUDV), Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), and Marburg virus (MARV) have also caused sizeable human outbreaks. Here we report a set of pan-ebolavirus and pan-filovirus monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) derived from cynomolgus macaques immunized repeatedly with a mixture of engineered glycoproteins (GPs) and virus-like particles (VLPs) for three different filovirus species. The antibodies recognize novel neutralizing and nonneutralizing epitopes on the filovirus glycoprotein, including conserved conformational epitopes within the core regions of the GP1 subunit and a novel linear epitope within the glycan cap. We further report the first filovirus antibody binding to a highly conserved epitope within the fusion loop of ebolavirus and marburgvirus species. One of the antibodies binding to the core GP1 region of all ebolavirus species and with lower affinity to MARV GP cross neutralized both SUDV and EBOV, the most divergent ebolavirus species. In a mouse model of EBOV infection, this antibody provided 100% protection when administered in two doses and partial, but significant, protection when given once at the peak of viremia 3 days postinfection. Furthermore, we describe novel cocktails of antibodies with enhanced protective efficacy compared to individual MAbs. In summary, the present work describes multiple novel, cross-reactive filovirus epitopes and innovative combination concepts that challenge the current therapeutic models.IMPORTANCEFiloviruses are among the most deadly human pathogens. The 2014-2015 outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) led to more than 27,000 cases and 11,000 fatalities. While there are five species ofEbolavirusand several strains of marburgvirus, the current immunotherapeutics primarily target Ebola virus. Since the nature of future outbreaks cannot be predicted, there is an urgent need for therapeutics with broad protective efficacy against multiple filoviruses. Here we describe a set of monoclonal antibodies cross-reactive with multiple filovirus species. These antibodies target novel conserved epitopes within the envelope glycoprotein and exhibit protective efficacy in mice. We further present novel concepts for combination of cross-reactive antibodies against multiple epitopes that show enhanced efficacy compared to monotherapy and provide complete protection in mice. These findings set the stage for further evaluation of these antibodies in nonhuman primates and development of effective pan-filovirus immunotherapeutics for use in future outbreaks.

scholarly journals Emergence of Lassa Fever Disease in Northern Togo: Report of Two Cases in Oti District in 2016

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akouda Akessiwe Patassi ◽  
Dadja Essoya Landoh ◽  
Agballa Mebiny-Essoh Tchalla ◽  
Wemboo Afiwa Halatoko ◽  
Hamadi Assane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Fatal Outcome ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
First Case

Background. Lassa fever belongs to the group of potentially fatal hemorrhagic fevers, never reported in Togo. The aim of this paper is to report the first two cases of Lassa fever infection in Togo. Case Presentation. The two first Lassa fever cases occurred in two expatriate’s health professionals working in Togo for more than two years. The symptoms appeared among two health professionals of a clinic located in Oti district in the north of the country. The absence of clinical improvement after antimalarial treatment and the worsening of clinical symptoms led to the medical evacuation. The delayed diagnosis of the first case led to a fatal outcome. The second case recovered under ribavirin treatment. Conclusion. The emergence of this hemorrhagic fever confirms the existence of Lassa fever virus in Togo. After a period of intensive Ebola virus transmission from 2013 to 2015, this is an additional call for the establishment and enhancement of infection prevention and control measures in the health care setting in West Africa.

scholarly journals Ocular Manifestations of Ebola Virus Disease: An Ophthalmologist’s Guide to Prevent Infection and Panic

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enzo Maria Vingolo ◽  
Giuseppe Alessio Messano ◽  
Serena Fragiotta ◽  
Leopoldo Spadea ◽  
Stefano Petti
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Moment

Ebola virus disease (EVD—formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever) is a severe hemorrhagic fever caused by lipid-enveloped, nonsegmented, negative-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the genusEbolavirus. Case fatality rates may reach up to 76% of infected individuals, making this infection a deadly health problem in the sub-Saharan population. At the moment, there are still no indications on ophthalmological clinical signs and security suggestions for healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses or cooperative persons). This paper provides a short but complete guide to reduce infection risks.

scholarly journals An Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in the Lassa Fever Zone

2016 ◽  
Vol 214 (suppl 3) ◽  
pp. S110-S121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augustine Goba ◽  
S. Humarr Khan ◽  
Mbalu Fonnie ◽  
Mohamed Fullah ◽  
Alex Moigboi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease

scholarly journals IN VITRO DIAGNOSIS FOR EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE. A COMPARISON OF CURRENT TECHNIQUES AND DIAGNOSTIC ASSAYS

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 105-116
Author(s):  
A. O. Sementsova ◽  
V. G. Dedkov ◽  
V. A. Ternovoy ◽  
E. V. Chub ◽  
S. A. Pyankov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Natural Foci ◽  
Forested Areas

Ebola virus disease is dangerous viral infection, occurring in the form of hemorrhagic fever, characterized by acute clinical symptoms and high mortality rate due to multiple organ failure. Ebola virus natural foci are located in forested areas of the central and western parts of Africa. It was believed for many years, the incidence of Ebola virus disease has been sporadic and the burden of it is true only in endemic areas. However, the unprecedented Ebola epidemic caused by Zaire virus in 2013 — 2016, has significantly changed our understanding of this disease and the patterns of its distribution. We have also identified weaknesses in the organization of anti-epidemic measures, the effectiveness of which was not very effective at the onset of the epidemic, in particular due to weak development of in vitro diagnostics (IVD). However, during the elimination of the epidemic in West Africa, anti-epidemic system has been modified substantially, largely due to quickly developed IVD kits. This review is devoted to analysis of trends in IVD for Ebola virus disease based on the experience obtained in the course of the West-African epidemic in 2013 — 2016.

scholarly journals Emergence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD): Key Facts

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-37
Author(s):  
Md Mahfuzar Rahman ◽  
Farnaz Mehrin ◽  
Fahim Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Global Threat

The modern emerging infection Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is of global threat originates from Africa region. This is zoonotic and identified as human diseases or previously called Ebola hemorrhagic fever which is a highly fatal human illness where case fatality rate is found up to 90%. The virus transmission begins from wild animals to human and then spreads within population through human to human. Fruit bats are found as natural host of Ebola virus. There is no specific treatment or vaccine available in the market so far, intensive supportive care is needed for severely ill patients. This paper highlights background information, problem statement, viral characteristics, mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, prevention & vaccination. It also indicates possible actions towards prevention of transmission & personal protection.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 6, No. 1: January 2015, Pages 35-37

An Overview of Newly Emerging Viral Plagues: The Hemorrhagic Fevers and a Newly Mysterious Suspect of Viral Disease, Acute Flaccid Paralysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 203-214
Author(s):  
Michael B. A. Oldstone
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Pericardial Cavity ◽  
Blood Flows ◽  
Acute Flaccid Myelitis ◽  
Lassa Fever Virus ◽  
Serious Disease

This chapter highlights three of the recently identified viruses: Lassa fever virus, Ebola virus, and hantavirus. All three are equally lethal infectious agents, but they are members of different viral families. They share the ability to cause hemorrhagic fever. Once infected with any of these viruses, the victim soon suffers profuse breaks in small blood vessels, causing blood to ooze from the skin, mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and rectum. Internally, blood flows into the pleural cavity where the lungs are located, into the pericardial cavity surrounding the heart, into the abdomen, and into organs like the liver, kidney, heart, spleen, and lungs. Eventually, this uncontrolled bleeding causes unconsciousness and death. There is currently no established vaccine to prevent these potential plagues, although several are in various stages of development, and an Ebola vaccine is currently undergoing trial in Africa. The chapter also considers a newly emerging and undefined but serious disease of children, which arose primarily in 2014. Based on clinical observations, the disease is identified by the signs and symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis.

The Angolan Pandemic Rapid Response Team: An Assessment, Improvement, and Development Analysis of the First Self-sufficient African National Response Team Curriculum

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 577-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Owens ◽  
Jason Rice
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
National Level ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Rapid Response Team ◽  
Rapid Response ◽  
World Health ◽  
Response Team ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
Health Organization

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess, through participant self-assessment, the effectiveness of a rapid response team curriculum based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Ebola Virus Disease Consolidated Preparedness Checklist, Revision 1.MethodsA pre-and-post survey for the purpose of process improvement assessment involving 44 individuals was conducted in Angola. The survey was conducted before and after a 6-day training workshop held in Luanda, Angola, in December 2017. A paired t-test was used to identify any significant change on six 7-point Likert scale questions with α <.05 (95% CI).ResultsTwo of the 6 questions, “I feel confident the team can effectively work together to accomplish its assigned goals and objectives during a suspected contagious hemorrhagic fever disease outbreak” and “I understand basic pandemic response concepts” changed significantly from the presurvey to the postsurvey. The 4 remaining questions had near statistical significant change or an upward trend.ConclusionThis Angolan rapid response team training curriculum based on WHO guidelines, After Action Reports, and internationally accepted standard operating procedures provides the nation of Angola with the confidence to rapidly respond at the national level to a highly infectious contagion in the region. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:577-581)

scholarly journals A THEORETICAL STUDY ON FRACTIONAL EBOLA HEMORRHAGIC FEVER MODEL

Fractals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHAHER MOMANI ◽  
R. P. CHAUHAN ◽  
SUNIL KUMAR ◽  
SAMIR HADID
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Numerical Technique ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Conformable Derivatives ◽  
Ebola Virus Infection

The Ebola virus infection (EVI), generally known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a major health concern. The occasional outbreaks of virus occur primarily in certain parts of Africa. Many researches have been devoted to the study of the Ebola virus disease. In this paper, we have taken susceptible-infected-recovered-deceased-environment (SIRDP) system to investigate the dynamics of Ebola virus infection. We adopted fractional operators for a better illustration of model dynamics and memory effects. Initially, the Ebola disease model is modified with Caputo–Fabrizio arbitrary operator in Caputo sense (CFC) and we employed the fixed-point results for the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the fractional system. Further, we adopted the arbitrary fractional conformable and [Formula: see text]-conformable derivatives to the alternative representation of the model. For the numerical approximation of the system, we show a numerical technique based on the fundamental theorem of fractional calculus for CFC derivative and a numerical scheme called the Adams–Moulton for conformable derivatives. Finally, for the validation of theoretical results, the numerical simulations are displayed.

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