It is important to first understand the basic terms and terminologies that will be used in this discussion in order to provide clarity. A disease is any state of general discomfort or unease experienced by the human body that leads to a deterioration of health. When such a condition is unable to transfer from an infected individual to a healthy one, it is called a non-infectious disease. Conversely, when it is transferable from an infected individual to a healthy one through any media, it is referred to as an infectious disease. We live in a microbial world where we constantly have to get ill from disease-causing organisms known as pathogens which are small in nature.

The Immune System:

The body has a mechanism to defend us against these agents that threaten our survival. Our understanding of this mechanism allows us to better defend ourselves and, in the case of infection, produce drugs that combat these disease conditions. The body operates via two mechanisms known as the Innate Immune Response and the Adaptive Immune Response. The Innate Immune Response forms the first line of defence, which includes barriers, different cells/molecules and a rapid response to threats to our health. The Adaptive Immune Response is much more concerned with a Cellular response and uses antibodies against antigens.

It is important to note that as the body's immune system fights to ensure that the body is not compromised, a factor known as inflammation occurs as part of the immune response, which can damage or impair organ functionality. In this context, we would look at one of Africa's most deadly diseases, the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Ebola Virus Disease: Definition, Myth, and Legend:

In 2014, West Africa was thrown into uproar after a lethal species of the Ebola virus was isolated in bats in Sierra Leone, then moved to the North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, leading to one of the most dramatic infectious emergencies. This resulted in over 28,000 cases and 11,000 deaths, making it one of the deadliest diseases in recent history until the emergence of the Corona Virus in 2019.

The Ebola Virus Disease is a contagious disease caused by a virus belonging to the family Filoviridae. It is responsible for a severe and often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever, with outbreaks in primates, including gorillas, chimpanzees, humans, and domestic pigs. The disease is characterized by extreme fever, rash, and profuse hemorrhaging.

Ebola Virus and the Body's Response:

When the Ebola virus enters the body, the immune system recognizes it as a foreign invader and initiates an immune response. The innate immune response involves cells that respond rapidly and non-specifically to pathogens, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. The adaptive immune response also comes into play and involves the production of antibodies and T-lymphocytes that are specific to the Ebola virus. However, the symptoms of Ebola virus disease may be so severe that the body's immune response, particularly inflammation, can lead to organ damage and failure, which can ultimately result in death.

In conclusion, understanding the immune system's response to the Ebola virus disease is essential to developing effective measures to prevent its spread and manage its impact.

In the realm of immunology, there are innate and adaptive immune responses. Adaptive immune response also known as the second-line immune response is composed of cell-mediated immune response and the humoral/antibody-mediated immune response. The former includes T cells, specifically Helper T cells which aid in producing more antibodies towards antigens, and Cytotoxic T cells that secrete factors that kill antigens. On the other hand, the latter involves B lymphocytes which create Immunoglobulins, more commonly known as antibodies, to combat antigens.

The Ebola virus is shown to hinder the function of Dendritic cells, which link the innate and adaptive immune systems, according to several studies. Moreover, the virus contains VP35 proteins that perform the function of Antagonizing Interferons. These factors lead to Excessive Inflammatory Response, Lymphocyte Loss and a general paralysis of the immune system. The Ebola virus inhibits Dendritic cells that are responsible for the innate and adaptive immune system. Conversely, the immune response to Covid-19 is characterized by a Cytokine Storm, which entails the overstimulation of the immune system, leading to an uncontrollable response that affects visceral organs such as the lungs and kidneys. Inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, CCL2, and CCL3 are produced in large quantities, contributing to the impairment of the vascular system.

To attain a better understanding, a study was performed on 23 fatal and 21 surviving cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Emergency Ebola-Treatment-Center in Goderich, in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Fluids were assayed to understand the Immunopathology of the disease, as it is a complex topic, even in this present day.

References

Colavita F, Biava M, Castilletti C, Lanini S, Miccio R, Portella G, Vairo F, Ippolito G, Capobianchi MR, Di Caro A, Lalle E. Inflammatory and Humoral Immune Response during Ebola Virus Infection in Survivor and Fatal Cases Occurred in Sierra Leone during the 2014⁻2016 Outbreak in West Africa. Viruses. 2019 Apr 23;11(4):373. doi: 10.3390/v11040373. PMID: 31018522; PMCID: PMC6520887.

Kumar A. Ebola Virus Altered Innate and Adaptive Immune Response Signalling Pathways: Implications for Novel Therapeutic Approaches. Infect Disord Drug Targets. 2016;16(2):79-94. doi: 10.2174/1871526516666160108114644. PMID: 26743519.

“Ebola.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 23 Jun. 2021.