Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook Instagram Threads
    Global BiodefenseGlobal Biodefense
    Subscribe
    • Featured News
    • Funding
    • Directory
    • Jobs
    • Events
    Global BiodefenseGlobal Biodefense
    Featured News

    Ebola Virus Can Infect Reproductive Organs of Macaques

    By Global Biodefense StaffFebruary 14, 2018
    Ebolavirus infection of NHP ovary
    Colorized transmission electron micrograph of the ovary from a nonhuman primate infected with Ebola virus. Characteristic filamentous Ebola virus particles are present between cells (bright red). Intracytoplasmic Ebola virus inclusion bodies forming crystalline arrays can be seen within ovarian stromal cells (darker red). Credit: NIAID
    Share
    Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Email

    Prior studies of survivors of the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa have revealed sexual transmission of Ebola virus, and that viral RNA (Ebola virus genetic material) can persist in semen following recovery.

    Investigators from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Thomas Jefferson University have now shown that Ebola virus can infect the reproductive organs of male and female macaques, according to a study published in The American Journal of Pathology, suggesting that humans could be similarly infected.

    While little is known about viral persistence in female reproductive tissues, pregnant women with Ebola virus disease have a maternal death rate of more than 80 percent and a fetal death rate of nearly 100 percent.

    In this study, the researchers infected four female and eight male macaques with the Makona variant of Ebola virus, the variant responsible for the recent West Africa outbreak. All the macaques succumbed to Ebola virus disease and were euthanized six to nine days after infection. The scientists then took reproductive tissue samples from each macaque and analyzed the samples for signs of Ebola virus infection, organ and tissue damage, and immune responses. They found widespread Ebola virus infection of reproductive organs with minimal tissue immune response or signs of disease.

    Based on the findings, the authors hypothesize that Ebola virus can persist in these tissues in human survivors, and that the virus may reach seminal fluid in men by infecting immune cells called tissue macrophages. However, it is unclear if the detection of Ebola virus RNA in semen documented in human studies means that infectious virus is present.

    The authors note that additional research is needed to learn how Ebola virus persists in these sites, to determine if drugs and vaccines can cure or prevent such infections, and to understand the mechanisms of sexual transmission, including why it appears to occur only rarely in people. To do this, NIAID scientists are developing a new nonhuman primate model of Ebola virus disease in which monkeys survive infection. Few macaques survive in the current model, making it difficult to study virus persistence and its long-term impacts.

    Source: NIH, adapted

    Read more:

    • Ebola Virus Localization in the Macaque Reproductive Tract During Acute Ebola Virus Disease
    • Emerging Sexually Transmitted Viral Infections: Review of Ebola Virus Disease
    • Polyamide Inhibits Replication of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus by Targeting RNA in the Nucleocapsid
    • Thomas Jefferson University Awarded Contract for Novel Vaccine for Ebola & Other Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses
    Ebola NIAID
    Share. Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleDHS Announces Finalists in Biothreat Prize Competition
    Next Article Biodefense Headlines – February 14, 2018

    Related Stories

    COVID Moonshot Consortium Announces Crowd-Sourced Small Molecule Discovery

    November 11, 2023

    New Method Improves Quantification of Ricin in Complex Matrices

    September 20, 2023

    Mass Spec for Rapid Detection of Biological Warfare Agents

    September 15, 2023

    Case Study: Fatal Avian Influenza Infection in Cat in Poland

    September 15, 2023
    News Scan

    Biodefense Headlines – 30 November 2023

    News Scan November 30, 2023

    News highlights on health security threats and countermeasures curated by Global Biodefense This week’s selections include the largest ever outbreak of mpox in the DRC; launch of National Wastewater Surveillance Program dashboard; low uptake of COVID-19 boosters and flu vaccines;…

    Upcoming Events

    Mar 12
    Hybrid Hybrid Event
    March 12, 2024 - March 17, 2024

    2024 Fungal Genetics Conference

    Mar 21
    March 21, 2024 - March 23, 2024

    ASPPH 2024 Annual Meeting

    View Calendar

    Subscribe to Global Biodefense

    Get the latest news on pathogens and preparedness

    News on pathogens and preparedness for public health emergencies

    © 2023 Stemar Media Group LLC
    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Subscribe

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.