Ebola Virus Found to Spread Through Skin’s Surface During Late Infection Stages

New research identifies specific skin cells infected by Ebola and traces its path to the epidermis, offering insights into transmission and antiviral testing.

A study has revealed how the Ebola virus (EBOV) migrates through skin layers to the surface, potentially facilitating person-to-person transmission via skin contact.
Using human skin explants, researchers identified that EBOV infects various cell types, including keratinocytes, which are unique to the skin and previously not known to support the virus.
The virus was detected on the skin's surface within three days of infection, showing rapid movement through dermal and epidermal layers.
The study highlights specific cellular receptors, such as NPC1 and AXL, that enable EBOV to infiltrate skin cells, providing potential targets for antiviral treatments.
The research introduces a human skin explant model as a cost-effective tool for studying Ebola transmission and testing antiviral therapies before animal trials.