Ebola

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Ebola virus (EBOV) is a highly pathogenic and deadly disease that has remained an enigma through the ages. Its high infection rate and mortality rate are extremely problematic since there is currently no vaccine or treatment for infection. We are currently experiencing the largest outbreak of EBOV in recorded human history. Extensive research on EBOV has shown that is largely effective because of how it induces massive immune system deregulation in infected humans.

Introduction

Ebola virus belongs to the Filoviridae viral family which has three identified genera that include Ebola virus, Marburg virus, and recently identified Cueva virus¹. The Ebolavirus genus itself has five identified species which include Reston Ebolavirus, Bundibugyo Ebolavirus, Sudan ebolavirus, Taı¨ Forest Ebolavirus, and Zaire Ebolavirus¹. In 1976 an outbreak of hemorrhagic fever in both Zaire and Sudan infected 550 individuals and was fatal in 430 of them^6,7. The virus responsible for the outbreak was isolated from the infected patients and was found to be morphologically similar to Marburg but it was also serologically distinct⁶. Even after multiple outbreaks of both Marburg and Ebola, and extensive research on the different strains that have caused those outbreaks, the origin of Filoviruses still remains a mystery⁶. Outbreaks of Filoviruses have usually been contained in remote areas of Central Africa7. However the world is currently experiencing the largest Ebolavirus outbreak in its history. The outbreak is affecting Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria⁷. Had no interventions taken place, it was estimated that 1.4 million cases could have occur in Liberia and Sierra Leone by the beginnings of 2015⁷.

Characterization of Ebola

Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.

File:Ebola virus virion.jpg

Ebola virus virion

Section 3

Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.

Further Reading

[Sample link] Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Special Pathogens Branch

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Edited by (Constanza Jackson), a student of Nora Sullivan in BIOL168L (Microbiology) in The Keck Science Department of the Claremont Colleges Spring 2014.