Brain-like organoids reveal how Ebola persists and spreads for 120 days

Article excerpt

Researchers using lab-grown brain organoids have discovered that Ebola virus can hide in the central nervous system for up to 120 days after infection, persisting in areas where the immune system rarely patrols. The finding, from scientists at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and Mount Sinai, raises concerns that survivors could experience disease relapse or spark new outbreaks months or years after apparent recovery. The brain organoid model, a three-dimensional tissue culture mimicking brain structure, allowed the team to observe viral behavior in an environment that previous testing methods couldn't access, offering insights into why Ebola can evade detection and potentially reignite in patients thought to be cured.