Beijing, China – Chinese scientists have conducted groundbreaking research by engineering a virus in a lab that contains parts of the deadly Ebola virus. This engineered virus proved to be lethal to a group of hamsters, with the infected animals succumbing to the virus within two to three days.
The study, conducted by a team of researchers at Hebei Medical University, utilized a contagious disease commonly found in livestock and incorporated a protein from Ebola that enables the virus to infect cells and spread throughout the body. The hamsters injected with this modified virus exhibited severe systemic diseases similar to those seen in human Ebola patients, including multi-organ failure.
One alarming symptom observed in the infected hamsters was the development of secretions in their eyes, leading to impaired vision and scarring of the eyeballs. Despite concerns about a potential lab leak, the researchers maintained that their goal was to establish appropriate animal models that could accurately replicate Ebola symptoms in a lab setting.
To study Ebola in a lower security setting, the scientists employed a different virus called vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), which was engineered to carry a portion of the Ebola virus known as glycoprotein (GP). This GP plays a critical role in facilitating the virus’s entry into host cells and subsequent infection.
The team’s research involved studying ten three-week-old hamsters, with varying outcomes based on gender. Female hamsters exhibited decreased temperature and weight loss, ultimately succumbing to the virus within two to three days. Male hamsters also experienced weight loss and death, except for two individuals who managed to survive and even gain weight post-infection.
The harvested organs from the deceased hamsters revealed viral accumulation in various tissues, emphasizing the potential role of infected hamsters in studying optic nerve disorders related to Ebola virus disease (EVD). The study, published in the Chinese journal Virologica Sinica, concluded that the infected hamsters accurately mirrored the symptoms and progression of Ebola in humans.
Overall, the research findings highlighted the utility of infected hamsters as a suitable model for investigating Ebola spread and treatment options. While concerns about lab leaks persist, experts emphasize the importance of testing infectious viruses to advance treatment and prevention strategies. Additionally, ongoing monitoring and stringent precautions are necessary to minimize the risk of accidental release or widespread infection.