Long-term Sequelae in Ebola Virus Disease Survivors Receiving Anti-Ebola Virus Therapies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Prospective Cohort Study - Summary - MDSpire

Long-term Sequelae in Ebola Virus Disease Survivors Receiving Anti-Ebola Virus Therapies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Prospective Cohort Study

  • By

  • Angèle Dilu-Keti

  • Tamara Tovar-Sanchez

  • Benjamin Cuer

  • Antoine Nkuba-Ndaye

  • Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka

  • Eric Panzi-Kalunda

  • Richard Kitenge-Omasumbu

  • Junior Bulabula-Penge

  • Fabrice Mambu-Mbika

  • Placide Mbala-Kingebeni

  • Ahidjo Ayouba

  • Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum

  • Jean-François Etard

  • Faustin Chenge

  • Eric Delaporte

  • Steve Ahuka-Mundeke

  • for the ‘Les Vainqueurs d’Ebola’ study group

  • Steve Ahuka-Mundeke

  • Ahidjo Ayouba

  • Nella Bisento-Ngafa

  • Julie Boullin

  • Junior Bulabula-Penge

  • Bernice Danga-Yema

  • Eric Delaporte

  • Angèle Dilu Keti

  • François Edidi-Atani

  • Grâce Ekoko

  • Benjamin Hamzé

  • Grâce Hangi

  • Gabriel Kambaba Lungeni

  • Neema Kahindo Barumawaki

  • Fey Kahonga

  • John Kakule Muzombo

  • Callixte Kakule-Sadiki

  • Guillaume Kambale-Kasyamboko

  • Vianey Kambale Kombi

  • Nelson Kambale-Sivihwa

  • Philemon Kambale Tsongo

  • Sahani Kanyere Lwanzo

  • Victoire Katembo Thasi

  • Suzanne Kavira Muhasa

  • Sheila Kavira-Muhesi

  • Eli Kavoyo-Mbayayi

  • Eddy Kinganda-Lusamaki

  • Richard Kitenge Omasumbu

  • Divine Kitsa-Mutsumbirwa

  • Rebecca Kyakimwa Vahaviraki

  • Audrey Lacroix

  • Achilla Luwawu Sadila

  • Robert Makasi Menge

  • Fabrice Mambu-Mbika

  • Rachel Masika Kihigo

  • Immaculée Matimbiya Vihanba

  • Meris Matondo-Kuamfumu

  • Placide Mbala Kingebeni

  • Fyfy Mbelu Matulu

  • Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka

  • Noella Mulopo-Mukanya

  • Elia Mumbere-Kalemekwa

  • Serge Mumbere Kavalami

  • Jacques Mumbere Mutegana

  • Skoda Mumbere Muyisa

  • Fiz Mussa Bahizi

  • Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum

  • Antoine Nkuba-Ndaye

  • César Omeonga Kelenda

  • Jeannot Paluku Nzira

  • Defao Paluku-Salambongo

  • Eric Panzi-Kalunda

  • Martine Peeters

  • Raphaël Pelloquin

  • Guillaume Thaurignac

  • Tamara Tovar-Sanchez

  • July 31, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To explore factors influencing long-term sequelae in Ebola survivors treated with monoclonal antibodies and remdesivir during the 2018–2020 outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Key Findings:
  • 650 (86.7%) of 750 survivors experienced post-Ebola sequelae, with a median age of 32 years and 56.7% being female.
  • Neurologic sequelae were reported in 463 (61.7%) survivors, musculoskeletal in 373 (49.7%), and general sequelae in 288 (38.4%).
  • Sequelae persisted for at least 38 months post-discharge, with slight decreases over time.
  • Neurologic sequelae were more frequent in the REGN-EB3 group compared to the remdesivir group.
  • Musculoskeletal sequelae were associated with age, ZMapp treatment, and acute-phase hemorrhagic symptoms.
Interpretation:

Despite improved survival rates with monoclonal antibody therapies, a high incidence of neurologic and musculoskeletal sequelae was observed, particularly in older survivors, women, and those with comorbidities, with REGN-EB3 therapy linked to higher rates of neurologic sequelae.

Limitations:
  • The study may not fully capture all long-term sequelae due to its observational nature and potential biases.
  • Follow-up duration of 12 months may not be sufficient to assess all potential long-term effects.
Conclusion:

The findings highlight the need for targeted long-term care strategies to manage post-Ebola sequelae effectively.

Original Source(s)

Long-term Sequelae in Ebola Virus Disease Survivors Receiving Anti-Ebola Virus Therapies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Prospective Cohort Study

  • by Angèle Dilu-Keti, Tamara Tovar-Sanchez, Benjamin Cuer, Antoine Nkuba-Ndaye, Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka, Eric Panzi-Kalunda, Richard Kitenge-Omasumbu, Junior Bulabula-Penge, Fabrice Mambu-Mbika, Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Ahidjo Ayouba, Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Jean-François Etard, Faustin Chenge, Eric Delaporte, Steve Ahuka-Mundeke, for the ‘Les Vainqueurs d’Ebola’ study group, Steve Ahuka-Mundeke, Ahidjo Ayouba, Nella Bisento-Ngafa, Julie Boullin, Junior Bulabula-Penge, Bernice Danga-Yema, Eric Delaporte, Angèle Dilu Keti, François Edidi-Atani, Grâce Ekoko, Benjamin Hamzé, Grâce Hangi, Gabriel Kambaba Lungeni, Neema Kahindo Barumawaki, Fey Kahonga, John Kakule Muzombo, Callixte Kakule-Sadiki, Guillaume Kambale-Kasyamboko, Vianey Kambale Kombi, Nelson Kambale-Sivihwa, Philemon Kambale Tsongo, Sahani Kanyere Lwanzo, Victoire Katembo Thasi, Suzanne Kavira Muhasa, Sheila Kavira-Muhesi, Eli Kavoyo-Mbayayi, Eddy Kinganda-Lusamaki, Richard Kitenge Omasumbu, Divine Kitsa-Mutsumbirwa, Rebecca Kyakimwa Vahaviraki, Audrey Lacroix, Achilla Luwawu Sadila, Robert Makasi Menge, Fabrice Mambu-Mbika, Rachel Masika Kihigo, Immaculée Matimbiya Vihanba, Meris Matondo-Kuamfumu, Placide Mbala Kingebeni, Fyfy Mbelu Matulu, Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka, Noella Mulopo-Mukanya, Elia Mumbere-Kalemekwa, Serge Mumbere Kavalami, Jacques Mumbere Mutegana, Skoda Mumbere Muyisa, Fiz Mussa Bahizi, Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Antoine Nkuba-Ndaye, César Omeonga Kelenda, Jeannot Paluku Nzira, Defao Paluku-Salambongo, Eric Panzi-Kalunda, Martine Peeters, Raphaël Pelloquin, Guillaume Thaurignac, Tamara Tovar-Sanchez

  • July 31, 2025

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