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Open research questions in Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research

361 gap statements mined from Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 1,628 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • While the source of these 2022 cases remains unknown, our finding of high MARV seroprevalence in R. aegyptiacus hosting reactive antibodies to MARV in Ghana, a country which remains understudied for filoviruses relative to other countries in West Africa where larger outbreaks have occurred (Bower and Glynn 2017).

    Serological evidence of exposure to filoviruses in bats and humans in Ghana · 2026 · DOI

  • A pressing limitation of this study – and of our tools – is the current sampling pattern for LASV. Lineages VI and I are not currently recommended for routine interpretation, because these lineages remain sparsely sampled and were not robustly evaluated in our analyses.

    Lassa virus live tracking and lineage assignment: how nextstrain can enhance surveillance and public health in Africa and beyond · 2026 · DOI

  • While this has not been documented for SUDV to date, it is conceivable that a similar risk exists, particularly given evidence of viral persistence following SUDV infection.

    Ebola virus and Sudan virus infection in humans: a comparison to inform vaccine research and development · 2026 · DOI

  • Megakaryocytic cells reside mainly in bone marrow, and although EBOV antigen-positive megakaryocytes have been reported, whether this represents direct infection or megakaryocyte emperipolesis has not been determined.

    Platelet-like particles released from Ebola virus-infected megakaryocytic cells behave like virus-like particles · 2026 · DOI

  • The role of tetraspanins in Ebola virus infection is not well understood. The mechanisms by which EBOV GP affects host cell membranes are not fully characterized.

    Tetraspanin CD81 restricts Ebola virus infection and is antagonized by glycoprotein GP and matrix protein VP40 · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should investigate the impact of other reforms on the numbers and per capita indicators of additional public health subspecialties in Kazakhstan. A key limitation of this study is the aggregated nature of the data, which restricts the level of detail in the analyses that can be performed.

    The Impact of Healthcare Reforms on the Epidemiology Workforce in Kazakhstan: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis with Predictive Modeling of Nationwide Data Sources from 1998 to 2022 · 2025 · DOI

  • Future studies on other proteins will help to establish if these findings are generally true or are limited to a subset of cryptic pockets. In the meantime, efforts to target the cryptic pocket in VP35 are warranted given the evidence that this pocket has a functional role that should prevent Zaire ebolavirus from acquiring mutations that give rise to drug resistance by preventing the pocket from opening.

    Opening and closing of a cryptic pocket in VP35 toggles it between two different RNA-binding modes · 2025 · DOI

  • The current standard of care for LF cases is limited, besides supportive care, to an off-label use of the nucleoside analogue RIB, for which efficacy remains controversial.

    Flunarizine as a Candidate for Drug Repurposing Against Human Pathogenic Mammarenaviruses · 2025 · DOI

  • However, human cases are underreported since most infections result in asymptomatic or mild febrile illness, and even in instances of severe disease, many meningitis cases go undiagnosed and testing for LCMV is not considered.

    Discovery of a novel lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus strain associated with severe human disease in immunocompetent patient, New Mexico · 2025 · DOI

  • We also focused on single isolates of EBOV (Mayinga) and MARV (Musoke); while well-characterized, responses may vary with other viral variants, warranting further investigation.

    Filovirus infection disrupts epithelial barrier function and ion transport in human iPSC-derived gut organoids · 2025 · DOI

  • Although caution is warranted when interpreting these findings due to limitations of data aggregating from different sites, it seems that a seasonally fluctuating reproductive status could affect seroprevalence estimates in bat populations.

    Assessing Ebola virus circulation in the Tshuapa province (Democratic Republic of the Congo): A One Health investigation of wildlife and human interactions · 2025 · DOI

  • It remains to be determined whether these non-neutralizing PICV-specific IgGs could influence antigen immunity through Fc effector functions. Developing effective vaccines for arenaviruses is challenging due to the high genetic diversity of viral strains and limited knowledge of the protective antigen(s) and protective immunity.

    Evaluating Antigen- and Vector-Specific Immune Responses of a Recombinant Pichinde Virus-Based Vaccine Expressing the Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Nucleoprotein · 2024 · DOI

  • In contrast, when investigating more specific or fine-scale questions, such as those focused on particular host populations, local transmission dynamics, or under-studied pathogens, researchers must go beyond databases and analyse original data from the primary literature.

    Host–virus association databases as tools for understanding viral spillover at varying scales · 2026 · DOI

  • The relative contributions of placental infection, severe maternal systemic illness, gestational timing, and other clinical factors to specific pregnancy outcomes remain incompletely characterized.

    Ebola virus disease and maternal–neonatal health: direct and indirect impacts and health system preparedness gaps · 2026 · DOI

  • Despite the efforts to control the disease, Lassa fever remains underreported due to limited surveillance and infrastructure, insufficient diagnostic capabilities, and healthcare workforce shortage.

    A Review of the Epidemiology of Lassa Fever in Nigeria · 2025 · DOI

  • The main limitation of this study is that 55% of the included papers are from grey literature, as ground crossing borders are understudied.

    Strengthening Health Security at Ground Border Crossings: Key Components for Improved Emergency Preparedness and Response—A Scoping Review · 2024 · DOI

  • However, whether viral IBs are involved in antagonizing IFN-I production during EBOV trVLPs infection has not yet been reported.

    Ebola virus sequesters IRF3 in viral inclusion bodies to evade host antiviral immunity · 2024 · DOI

  • The response to the BDBV outbreak should be understood not as an isolated diagnostic failure, but as a case study demonstrating why preparedness strategies built around individual pathogens are insufficient for future epidemic and pandemic threats.

    Known pathogen, unprepared system: Bundibugyo virus and the diagnostic preparedness gap · 2026 · DOI

  • Scientific capability existed, but a resilient diagnostic ecosystem capable of translating existing technologies into timely public health action was lacking.

    Known pathogen, unprepared system: Bundibugyo virus and the diagnostic preparedness gap · 2026 · DOI

  • Targeted follow-up and survivor support are warranted to mitigate long-term health risks and ensure evidence-based post-epidemic responses.

    Thirteen-Year Sequelae of Marburg Virus Disease Survival: Persistent Cardiometabolic, Immunometabolic, and Haematological Alterations in the Absence of Psychological Morbidity · 2025 · DOI

  • One limitation of this study is that the stress that may be encountered during in-country transport was simulated.

    Effects of Shock and Vibration on Product Quality during Last-Mile Transportation of Ebola Vaccine under Refrigerated Conditions1 · 2024 · DOI

  • Under such circumstances, measurable score differences for these two indicators between participants with and without standardized one-off training would become limited.

    Association between Ebola prevention training and prevention-related cognitive and behavioral factors among Chinese expatriates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional study informed by the RANAS framework · 2026 · DOI

  • Provisions are aspirational without standardized implementation procedures or reporting obligations.

    Global Health Governance and the WHO Pandemic Agreement: A Scoping Review of Challenges and Analysis of Reforms · 2025 · DOI

  • Investigating the exact mechanisms of CD81-mediated suppression of NF-κB signaling, - Examining the effects of CD81 on other viral families, - Developing CD81-targeting therapies for Ebola virus…

    Tetraspanin CD81 restricts Ebola virus infection and is antagonized by glycoprotein GP and matrix protein VP40 · 2026 · DOI

  • Fig. 1 | Timeline of events from outbreak declaration to trial commencement. Ten days from the outbreak Declaration to the Trial Commencement. A high-level timeline.

    How Rwanda mounted a research response with an investigational vaccine just ten days into a Marburg outbreak · 2025 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research

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This page shows what the Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research literature already flags as unresolved. To narrow it to your specific question, search the Research Gap Finder: the search is free with a free account and lists the papers closest to your topic first. Unlocking that topic (50 credits, charged once) fills the comparison table from our 7.9M-paper local library and writes the gaps from its rows.

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) The role of tetraspanins in Ebola virus infection is not well understood (“Tetraspanin CD81 restricts Ebola virus infection and is antagonized by…”, 2026); (2) The relative contributions of placental infection, severe maternal systemic illness, gestational timing, and other clinical factors to specific pregnancy outcomes remain incompletely characterized (“Ebola virus disease and maternal–neonatal health: direct and indirect impacts…”, 2026); (3) Future research should investigate the impact of other reforms on the numbers and per capita indicators of additional public health subspecialties in Kazakhstan (“The Impact of Healthcare Reforms on the Epidemiology Workforce in Kazakhstan:…”, 2025); (4) The current standard of care for LF cases is limited, besides supportive care, to an off-label use of the nucleoside analogue RIB, for which efficacy remains controversial (“Flunarizine as a Candidate for Drug Repurposing Against Human Pathogenic…”, 2025); (5) Targeted follow-up and survivor support are warranted to mitigate long-term health risks and ensure evidence-based post-epidemic responses (“Thirteen-Year Sequelae of Marburg Virus Disease Survival: Persistent…”, 2025). 361 gap statements have been mined from Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 1,628 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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