Characterization of the plasma proteome of nonhuman primates during Ebola virus disease or melioidosis: a host response comparison

Background In-depth examination of the plasma proteomic response to infection with a wide variety of pathogenscan assist in the development of new diagnostic paradigms, while providing insight into the interdependent pathogenicprocesses which encompass a host’s immunological and physiological responses. Ebola virus(EBOV) causes a highly lethal infection termed Ebola virusdisease (EVD) in primatesand humans. The Gram negative non-spore forming bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei(Bp) causes melioidosisin primatesand humans, characterized by severe pneumonia with high mortality. We sought to examine the host response to infection with these two bio-threat pathogensusing established animal models to provide information on the feasibility of pre-symptomatic diagnosis, since the induction of host molecular signaling networks can occur before clinical presentation and pathogendetection.