Long-lasting severe immune dysfunction in Ebola virus disease survivors

Nat Commun. 2020 Jul 24;11(1):3730. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17489-7.

Abstract

Long-term follow up studies from Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors (EBOV_S) are lacking. Here, we evaluate immune and gene expression profiles in 35 Guinean EBOV_S from the last West African outbreak, a median of 23 months (IQR [18-25]) after discharge from treatment center. Compared with healthy donors, EBOV_S exhibit increases of blood markers of inflammation, intestinal tissue damage, T cell and B cell activation and a depletion of circulating dendritic cells. All survivors have EBOV-specific IgG antibodies and robust and polyfunctional EBOV-specific memory T-cell responses. Deep sequencing of the genes expressed in blood reveals an enrichment in 'inflammation' and 'antiviral' pathways. Integrated analyses identify specific immune markers associated with the persistence of clinical symptoms. This study identifies a set of biological and genetic markers that could be used to define a signature of "chronic Ebola virus disease (CEVD)".

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Ebolavirus / drug effects
  • Ebolavirus / genetics
  • Ebolavirus / immunology*
  • Female
  • Genetic Markers
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / complications*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / drug therapy
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / immunology*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / virology
  • Humans
  • Immune System Diseases / complications*
  • Immune System Diseases / genetics
  • Immune System Diseases / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Survivors
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Transcriptome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Genetic Markers
  • Immunoglobulin G