Molecular Characterization of the First Ebola Virus Isolated in Italy, from a Health Care Worker Repatriated from Sierra Leone.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Castilletti C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4472897 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Molecular Characterization of the First Ebola Virus Isolated in Italy, from a Health Care Worker Repatriated from Sierra Leone.
Castilletti Concetta C Carletti Fabrizio F Gruber Cesare E M CE Bordi Licia L Lalle Eleonora E Quartu Serena S Meschi Silvia S Lapa Daniele D Colavita Francesca F Chiappini Roberta R Mazzarelli Antonio A Marsella Patrizia P Petrosillo Nicola N Nicastri Emanuele E Chillemi Giovanni G Valentini Alessio A Desideri Alessandro A Di Caro Antonino A Ippolito Giuseppe G Capobianchi Maria R MR
Genome announcements 20150618 3
Here, we report the complete genome sequence of an Ebola virus (EBOV) isolated from a health worker repatriated from Sierra Leone to Italy in November 2014. The sequence, clustering in clade 3 of the Sierra Leone sequences, was analyzed with respect to mutations possibly affecting diagnostic and therapeutic targets as well as virulence. ...[more]
Similar Datasets
Project description:BACKGROUND: Ebola virus disease has taken a toll on more than 8,000 lives in West Africa in 2014. The most affected countries are Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The number of people infected by Ebola in Sierra Leone surpassed that of Liberia in the last month in this year and almost half of human cases are distributed in this country. DISCUSSION: The ignorance on Ebola among people, including health workers at the early stage, plaid an important role in spread of Ebola virus disease. Subsequently, Ebola ravages urban settings for the first time and takes a huge toll on the lives. The government and international partners do make efforts to control the epidemic, however, lack of synergy make them lip service. SUMMARY: The leading role of government in the response to the epidemic should be emphasized. Basic information of Ebola should be quickly spread among communities by health education programme and social mobilization should be a basic measure for Ebola control.
| S-EPMC4328734 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThere are limited data regarding the long-term health effects of child survivors of the 2013-2016 West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak. Here, we assess post-Ebola sequelae among EVD child survivors by comparing the self-reported symptoms between EVD child survivors and their close household contacts over one year after the end of the outbreak.MethodsEVD child survivors(n=159) and their close contacts(n=303) were enrolled in Western and Eastern Sierra Leone. Demographics and self-reported symptoms data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. We compared a list of self-reported symptoms between EVD child survivors and their close household contacts using backward stepwise logistic regression.ResultsEVD child survivors were more likely to be orphans compared to their close contacts. Musculoskeletal, ocular, auditory and neurological symptoms were more prevalent among Ebola child survivors than their close contacts (p<0.001). Joint pain and headache were the most common self-reported symptoms in EVD child survivors and their close contacts. Joint pain (AOR=2.633; 95 % CI:1.31-5.28, p=0.006), eye pain (AOR=4.56;95 %CI: 2.16-9.64, p<0.001), hearing loss (AOR=3.85; 95 %CI: 1.15-12.87, p=0.029), memory impairment (AOR=7.76;0.95 %CI: 1.34-45.01 p=0.022), mood changes (AOR=5.07; 95 %CI: 2.35-10.94, p<0.001) were more common among survivors than their contacts.ConclusionsOur data suggest that EVD child survivors have higher odds than their close contacts of suffering from musculoskeletal, ophthalmic, auditory and neurological impairment more than a year after the end of the EVD outbreak. Routine screening, treatment and monitoring of these symptoms is required to prevent long-term disability among EVD child survivors.
| S-EPMC8556876 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundPassive therapy with convalescent plasma provides an early opportunity to intervene in Ebola virus disease (EVD). Methods for field screening and selection of potential donors and quantifying plasma antibody are needed.Study design and methodsRecombinant Ebola virus glycoprotein (EBOV GP) was formatted into immunoglobulin G-capture, competitive, and double-antigen bridging enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). EVD survivors in Freetown, Sierra Leone, were recruited as potential plasma donors and assessed locally using sera alone and/or paired sera and oral fluids (ORFs). Uninfected controls comprised unexposed Gambians and communities in Western Area, Sierra Leone. Antibody neutralization in selected sera was measured retrospectively in a pseudotype virus assay.ResultsA total of 115 potential donors were considered for enrollment: 110 plasma samples were concordantly reactive in the three EIAs; three were concordantly unreactive and two were reactive in two of three EIAs (98.2% agreement; 95% confidence interval [CI], 93.9%-99.8%). In 88 donors with paired ORF and plasma, G-capture EIA reactivity correlated well in the two analytes (R2 = 0.795). Plasma and ORF from 44 Gambians were unreactive. ORF samples from 338 of 339 unexposed Western Area community controls were unreactive (specificity, 99.7%; 95% CI, 98.4%-99.7%); ORF samples from 113 of 116 Kerry Town EVD survivors were reactive (sensitivity, 97.4%; 95% CI, 92.5%-99.5%). Strong reactivity in G-capture and/or competitive EIAs identified donors with high plasma EBOV GP antibody levels in the double-antigen bridging assay, correlating with high levels of neutralizing antibody.ConclusionsIn-field testing can qualify convalescent donors for providing high-titer antibody.
| S-EPMC5947131 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We conducted a case-control study in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to investigate ocular signs in Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors. A total of 82 EVD survivors with ocular symptoms and 105 controls from asymptomatic civilian and military personnel and symptomatic eye clinic attendees underwent ophthalmic examination, including widefield retinal imaging. Snellen visual acuity was <6/7.5 in 75.6% (97.5% CI 63%-85.7%) of EVD survivors and 75.5% (97.5% CI 59.1%-87.9%) of controls. Unilateral white cataracts were present in 7.4% (97.5% CI 2.4%-16.7%) of EVD survivors and no controls. Aqueous humor from 2 EVD survivors with cataract but no anterior chamber inflammation were PCR-negative for Zaire Ebola virus, permitting cataract surgery. A novel retinal lesion following the anatomic distribution of the optic nerve axons occurred in 14.6% (97.5% CI 7.1%-25.6%) of EVD survivors and no controls, suggesting neuronal transmission as a route of ocular entry.
| S-EPMC5512503 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC8342617 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak is the largest ever seen, with over 28,000 cases and 11,300 deaths since early 2014. The magnitude of the outbreak has tested fragile governmental health systems and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to their limit. Here we discuss the outbreak in the Western Area of Sierra Leone, the shape of the local response and the impact the response had on caring for children suspected of having contracted EVD. Challenges encountered in providing clinical care to children whilst working in the "Red Zone" where risk of EVD is considered to be highest, wearing full personal protective equipment are detailed. Suggestions and recommendations both for further research and for operational improvement in the future are made, with particular reference as to how a response could be more child-focused.
| S-EPMC4930947 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Little is known about potentially modifiable factors in Ebola virus disease in children. We undertook a retrospective cohort study of children <13 years old admitted to 11 Ebola holding units in the Western Area, Sierra Leone, during 2014-2015 to identify factors affecting outcome. Primary outcome was death or discharge after transfer to Ebola treatment centers. All 309 Ebola virus-positive children 2 days-12 years old were included; outcomes were available for 282 (91%). Case-fatality was 57%, and 55% of deaths occurred in Ebola holding units. Blood test results showed hypoglycemia and hepatic/renal dysfunction. Death occurred swiftly (median 3 days after admission) and was associated with younger age and diarrhea. Despite triangulation of information from multiple sources, data availability was limited, and we identified no modifiable factors substantially affecting death. In future Ebola virus disease epidemics, robust, rapid data collection is vital to determine effectiveness of interventions for children.
| S-EPMC5038433 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:As Sierra Leone celebrates the end of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak, we can begin to fully grasp its impact on already weak health systems. The EVD outbreak in West Africa forced many hospitals to close down or reduce their activity, either to prevent nosocomial transmission or because of staff shortages. The aim of this study is to assess the potential impact of EVD on nationwide access to obstetric care in Sierra Leone. METHODS AND FINDINGS:Community health officers collected weekly data between January 2014-May 2015 on in-hospital deliveries and caesarean sections (C-sections) from all open facilities (public, private for-profit and private non-profit sectors) offering emergency obstetrics in Sierra Leone. This was compared to official data of EVD cases per district. Logistic and Poisson regression analyses were used to compute risk and rate estimates. Nationwide, the number of in-hospital deliveries and C-sections decreased by over 20% during the EVD outbreak. The decline occurred early on in the EVD outbreak and was mainly attributable to the closing of private not-for-profit hospitals rather than government facilities. Due to difficulties in collecting data in the midst of an epidemic, limitations of this study include some missing data points. CONCLUSIONS:Both the number of in-hospital deliveries and C-sections substantially declined shortly after the onset of the EVD outbreak. Since access to emergency obstetric care, like C-sections, is associated with decreased maternal mortality, many women are likely to have died due to the reduced access to appropriate care during childbirth. Future research on indirect health effects of health system breakdown should ideally be nationwide and continue also into the recovery phase. It is also important to understand the mechanisms behind the deterioration so that important health services can be reestablished.
| S-EPMC4766087 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We explored the association of Ebola virus antibody seropositivity and concentration with potential risk factors for infection. Among 1,282 adults and children from a community affected by the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, 8% were seropositive for virus antibodies but never experienced disease symptoms. Antibody concentration increased with age.
| S-EPMC8888237 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Between September 2014 and February 2015, the number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases reported in Sierra Leone declined in many districts. During this period, a major international response was put in place, with thousands of treatment beds introduced alongside other infection control measures. However, assessing the impact of the response is challenging, as several factors could have influenced the decline in infections, including behavior changes and other community interventions. We developed a mathematical model of EVD transmission, and measured how transmission changed over time in the 12 districts of Sierra Leone with sustained transmission between June 2014 and February 2015. We used the model to estimate how many cases were averted as a result of the introduction of additional treatment beds in each area. Examining epidemic dynamics at the district level, we estimated that 56,600 (95% credible interval: 48,300-84,500) Ebola cases (both reported and unreported) were averted in Sierra Leone up to February 2, 2015 as a direct result of additional treatment beds being introduced. We also found that if beds had been introduced 1 month earlier, a further 12,500 cases could have been averted. Our results suggest the unprecedented local and international response led to a substantial decline in EVD transmission during 2014-2015. In particular, the introduction of beds had a direct impact on reducing EVD cases in Sierra Leone, although the effect varied considerably between districts.
| S-EPMC4655521 | biostudies-literature