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Peripheral Neuronopathy Associated With Ebola Virus Infection in Rhesus Macaques: A Possible Cause of Neurological Signs and Symptoms in Human Ebola Patients.

Authors :
Liu DX
Perry DL
Cooper TK
Huzella LM
Hart RJ
Hischak AMW
Bernbaum JG
Hensley LE
Bennett RS
Source :
The Journal of infectious diseases [J Infect Dis] 2020 Oct 13; Vol. 222 (10), pp. 1745-1755.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Neurological signs and symptoms are the most common complications of Ebola virus disease. However, the mechanisms underlying the neurologic manifestations in Ebola patients are not known. In this study, peripheral ganglia were collected from 12 rhesus macaques that succumbed to Ebola virus (EBOV) disease from 5 to 8 days post exposure. Ganglionitis, characterized by neuronal degeneration, necrosis, and mononuclear leukocyte infiltrates, was observed in the dorsal root, autonomic, and enteric ganglia. By immunohistochemistry, RNAscope in situ hybridization, transmission electron microscopy, and confocal microscopy, we confirmed that CD68+ macrophages are the target cells for EBOV in affected ganglia. Further, we demonstrated that EBOV can induce satellite cell and neuronal apoptosis and microglial activation in infected ganglia. Our results demonstrate that EBOV can infect peripheral ganglia and results in ganglionopathy in rhesus macaques, which may contribute to the neurological signs and symptoms observed in acute and convalescent Ebola virus disease in human patients.<br /> (Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2020.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1537-6613
Volume :
222
Issue :
10
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The Journal of infectious diseases
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
32498080
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa304