Review article
Ebola virus disease – emerging and re-emerging infectious disease
Alemka Markotić
; Klinika za infektivne bolesti "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Ivan-Christian Kurolt
; Klinika za infektivne bolesti "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Tomislav Rukavina
; Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo Primorsko-goranske županije, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Đurđica Cekinović
; KBC Rijeka, Klinika za infektivne bolesti, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Biserka Trošelj Vukić
; KBC Rijeka, Klinika za infektivne bolesti, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Abstract
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a dangerous and highly contagiuos infectious disease. The largest recorded outbreak so far occurred in West Africa in late 2013 and in early 2014 and spread to five countries of the region (Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Mali). During the late summer of 2014 an unrelated outbreak of Ebola virus disease occured in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are five types of Ebola virus [Zaire (EBOV), Sudan (SUDV), Bundibugyo (BDBV), Taï Forest (TAFV) i Reston (RESTV)] all of which are endemic in Africa, except Reston ebolavirus, which is also endemic in parts of South East Asia and China. The reservoir of Ebola virus are considered to be fruit bats, in which Ebola virus RNA and antibodies were detected, but they are not definitively confirmed as the main reservoirs. Immunopathogenesis of Ebola virus disease is complex and requires serious research. Severe forms of the disease are accompanied by numerous complications, multiorgan failure and signs of septic shock. Mortality ranges from 55 – 75%, and sometimes more. Survivors undergo a long period of convalescence. So far there is no approved vaccine, and medical personnel who treat and care for patients with EVD must apply strict measures of proposed personal protection. Treatment is symptomatic with, if necessary, measures of intensive treatment. Regardless of the possible economic unprofitability, the need for the development of diagnostics, vaccines and drugs for the treatment of EVD and other hemorrhagic fevers is clearly demonstrated and would represent a mean to prevent future outbreaks of this dangerous disease.
Keywords
Ebola virus; West Africa; fruit bats; therapy and prevention
Hrčak ID:
149990
URI
Publication date:
31.1.2015.
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