Intra-host Ebola viral adaption during human infection

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Genomics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic provided a unique opportunity to study Ebola virus (EBOV) evolution.
• Understanding intra-host viral dynamics is crucial for tracking outbreaks and developing interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the intra-host evolution of EBOV during the recovery phase of infection.
• To analyze viral genetic changes in patients during the late stage of the 2013-2016 epidemic in Sierra Leone.

Main Methods:

• Onsite next-generation sequencing (NGS) of EBOV genomes from longitudinal blood samples.
• Diagnosis and monitoring of EBOV patients in Sierra Leone during 2015.

Main Results:

• Surviving patients showed decreasing viremia, fever, and improved biochemical parameters during recovery.
• Dynamic intra-host nucleotide substitutions were observed, including independent emergence of T>C mutations.
• Up to 35 coincident nucleotide mutations were identified across the EBOV genome within individual patients.

Conclusions:

• EBOV exhibits dynamic intra-host adaptation during patient recovery.
• The study provides deeper insights into complex EBOV-host interactions and viral evolution during an epidemic.