Advancing public health preparedness:Establishment of Nipah virus molecular diagnostic test at the National Reference Laboratory,Sri Lanka

Objective:To establish Nipah virus diagnostic capabilities at the National Reference Laboratory in Sri Lanka using the NIV Pune real-time PCR kit.Methods:Strict safety precautions were adhered during testing due to the high pathogenicity of the Nipah virus,with all diagnostics conducted in a BSL2+laboratory at the Medical Research Institute in Sri Lanka.RNA extraction was performed using the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini kit.The NIV Pune in-house real-time PCR kit was employed,following established primer/probe sequences and controls.The assay was validated using the Rotor-Gene Q Series Real-time PCR platform.Results:The validation run of the Nipah virus real-time PCR test demonstrated robust performance,with positive controls consistently detecting Nipah RNA at a Ct value of 21.50±0.01.Negative controls confirmed assay specificity with an external negative control which was also used as an extraction control and showed no interference.The internal control exhibited stable behavior,enhancing confidence in PCR results.The qPCR analysis graph illustrated the successful detection of internal and positive controls,validating the reliability of the assay.Conclusions:Establishing Nipah virus diagnostic capabilities in Sri Lanka signifies a proactive and collaborative response to the persistent global health threat.

Nipah Virus Unveiled: A Review Article

Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly infectious zoonotic pathogen that poses a significant threat to human and animal health. First identified in Malaysia in 1998, NiV has since caused several outbreaks in Southeast Asia, with sporadic cases reported in Bangladesh and India. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals, primarily fruit bats, or through the consumption of contaminated fruits and their juices. NiV infection presents a wide spectrum of clinical features, ranging from mild respiratory illness to severe encephalitis, with a high case fatality rate. The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, during which patients develop fever, headache, myalgia, and respiratory symptoms such as cough and sore throat. As the disease progresses, neurological signs become prominent, including altered consciousness, seizures, and focal deficits. Severe cases may exhibit acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi organ failure. Laboratory findings often include lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes. Diagnosis of NiV infection requires specialized laboratory testing, including reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serological assays. Currently, no specific antiviral treatment exists for NiV infection, and management primarily focuses on supportive care. Prevention and control strategies encompass public health interventions, surveillance, and raising awareness among healthcare providers and the general population. The emergence and re-emergence of NiV highlight the urgent need for continued research, improved diagnostic capabilities, and the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics to mitigate the impact of this deadly virus.

Nipah Virus: A Zoonotic Virus Transmitted from Bats and Pigs, Causing an Epidemic in Southeast Asia

Nipah Virus (NiV), a member of the Paramyxoviridae family, is one of the most infectious zoonotic viruses in Southeast Asia. First recorded in Malaysia in 1998, the NiV outbreak infected hundreds of people, with an almost 50% death rate. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with contaminated subjects and infecting the human respiratory system. Ephrin B2 and B3, the surface glycoproteins on the host cell, have been the primary and the most effective route for viral entrance. Binding with viral surface G protein, the F protein triggers, enabling viral-host fusion. Until now, NiV vaccines are not yet available in the public market, however, preventions such as avoiding direct contact and masking are advised.

Molecular epidemiology and phylogeny of Nipah virus infection:A mini review

Nipah virus(Ni V) is a member of the genus Henipavirus of the family Paramyxoviridae,characterized by high pathogenicity and endemic in South Asia.It is classified as a Biosafety Level-4(BSL-4) agent.The case-fatality varies from 40%-70% depending on the severity of the disease and on the availability of adequate healthcare facilities.At present no antiviral drugs are available for Ni V disease and the treatment is just supportive.Phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses can be used to help in understanding the epidemiology and the temporal origin of this virus.This review provides an overview of evolutionary studies performed on Nipah viruses circulating in different countries.Thirty phylogenetic studies have been published from 2000 to 2015 years,searching on pub-med using the key words ‘Nipah virus AND phylogeny' and twenty-eight molecular epidemiological studies from 2006 to 2015 have been performed,typing the key words ‘Nipah virus AND molecular epidemiology'.Overall data from the published study demonstrated as phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis represent promising tools to evidence NiV epidemics,to study their origin and evolution and finally to act with effective preventive measure.

Mathematical Analysis of Nipah Virus Infections Using Optimal Control Theory

The optimal use of intervention strategies to mitigate the spread of Nipah Virus (NiV) using optimal control technique is studied in this paper. First of all we formulate a dynamic model of NiV infections with variable size population and two control strategies where creating awareness and treatment are considered as controls. We intend to find the optimal combination of these two control strategies that will minimize the cost of the two control measures and as a result the number of infectious individuals will decrease. We establish the existence for the optimal controls and Pontryagin’s maximum principle is used to characterize the optimal controls. The numerical simulation suggests that optimal control technique is much more effective to minimize the infected individuals and the corresponding cost of the two controls. It is also monitored that in the case of high contact rate, controls have to work for longer period of time to get the desired result. Numerical simulation reveals that the spread of Nipah virus can be controlled effectively if we apply control strategy at early stage.

In silico identification and characterization of common epitope-based peptide vaccine for Nipah and Hendra viruses

Objective: To explore a common B-and T-cell epitope-based vaccine that can elicit an immune response against encephalitis causing genus Henipaviruses, Hendra virus(He V) and Nipah virus(Ni V). Methods: Membrane proteins F, G and M of He V and Ni V were retrieved from the protein database and subjected to different bioinformatics tools to predict antigenic B-cell epitopes. Best B-cell epitopes were then analyzed to predict their T-cell antigenic potentiality. Antigenic B-and T-cell epitopes that shared maximum identity with He V and Ni V were selected. Stability of the selected epitopes was predicted. Finally, the selected epitopes were subjected to molecular docking simulation with HLA-DR to confirm their antigenic potentiality in silico. Results: One epitope from G proteins, one from M proteins and none from F proteins were selected based on their antigenic potentiality. The epitope from the G proteins was stable whereas that from M was unstable. The M-epitope was made stable by adding flanking dipeptides. The 15-mer G-epitope(VDPLRVQWRNNSVIS) showed at least 66% identity with all Ni V and He V G protein sequences, while the 15-mer M-epitope(GKLEFRRNNAIAFKG) with the dipeptide flanking residues showed 73% identity with all Ni V and He V M protein sequences available in the database. Molecular docking simulation with most frequent MHC class-II(MHC II) and class-I(MHC I) molecules showed that these epitopes could bind within HLA binding grooves to elicit an immune response. Conclusions: Data in our present study revealed the notion that the epitopes from G and M proteins might be the target for peptide-based subunit vaccine design against He V and Ni V. However, the biochemical analysis is necessary to experimentally validate the interaction of epitopes individually with the MHC molecules through elucidation of immunity induction.

Human Monoclonal Antibodies as Candidate Therapeutics Against Emerging Viruses and HIV-1

More than 40 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been approved for a number of disease indications with only one of these (Synagis) - for a viral disease, and not for therapy but for prevention. However, in the last decade novel potent mAbs have been discovered and characterized with potential as therapeutics against viruses of major importance for public health and biosecurity including Hendra virus (HeV), Nipah virus (NiV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Ebola virus (EBOV), West Nile virus (WNV), influenza virus (IFV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Here, we review such mAbs with an emphasis on antibodies of human origin, and highlight recent results as well as technologies and mechanisms related to their potential as therapeutics.

The Mechanism of Henipavirus Fusion:Examining the Relationships between the Attachment and Fusion Glycoproteins

The henipaviruses,represented by Nipah virus and Hendra virus,are emerging zoonotic viral pathogens responsible for repeated outbreaks associated with high morbidity and mortality in Australia,Southeast Asia,India and Bangladesh. These viruses enter host cells via a class I viral fusion mechanism mediated by their attachment and fusion envelope glycoproteins;efficient membrane fusion requires both these glycoproteins in conjunction with specific virus receptors present on susceptible host cells. The henipavirus attachment glycoprotein interacts with a cellular B class ephrin protein receptor triggering conformational alterations leading to the activation of the viral fusion(F) glycoprotein. The analysis of monoclonal antibody(mAb) reactivity with G has revealed measurable alterations in the antigenic structure of the glycoprotein following its binding interaction with receptor. These observations only appear to occur with full-length native G glycoprotein,which is a tetrameric oligomer,and not with soluble forms of G(sG) ,which are disulfide-linked dimers. Single amino acid mutations in a heptad repeat-like structure within the stalk domain of G can disrupt its association with F and subsequent membrane fusion promotion activity. Notably,these mutants of G also appear to confer a post-receptor bound conformation implicating the stalk domain as an important element in the G glycoprotein's structure and functional relationship with F. Together,these observations suggest fusion is dependent on a specific interaction between the F and G glycoproteins of the henipaviruses. Further,receptor binding induces measurable changes in the G glycoprotein that appear to be greatest in respect to the interactions between the pairs of dimers comprising its native tetrameric structure. These receptor-induced conformational changes may be associated with the G glycoprotein's promotion of the fusion activity of F.

尼帕病毒病疫苗研究进展

尼帕病毒病是一种人兽共患病,1998年在马来西亚首次出现。引起该病的病原为尼帕病毒,它是一种单负股RNA病毒,可感染猪、马、犬、猫等多种动物,对人的致死率可达75%以上。目前,尚无有效疫苗上市。该病毒的表面糖蛋白是目前疫苗研究的主要靶标。以此为靶标,已有多种候选疫苗在不同动物模型中表现出良好的免疫效果,其中亚单位疫苗、重组活载体疫苗和mRNA疫苗是当前研究热点,已有3种相关人用候选疫苗进入临床试验。目前尼帕病毒病兽用疫苗研究进展缓慢,而兽用疫苗的使用可以有效预防病毒的跨种传播,符合“同一健康”理念,因此应加大兽用疫苗的研发力度。本文对尼帕病毒病不同类型疫苗相关研究进展进行了综述,并探讨了疫苗研究中的问题,以期为尼帕病毒病疫苗研究提供参考。

新疆部分地区动物Nipah病毒和Hendra病毒感染的调查

拟建立一步法实时RT-PCR检测Nipah病毒(Nipah virus,NiV)、Hendra病毒(Hendra virus,HeV)的方法,对采集自中国新疆部分地区动物外周血样本进行NiV和HeV检测,以获得我国新疆地区的NiV和HeV的病毒流行病学资料。采用NiV和HeV一步法实时RT-PCR检测方法,对2007年9-12月采集的新疆伊犁河谷地区以及巴音布鲁克草原放养的500匹马、100匹驴和160只犬外周血单个核细胞RNA进行NiV和HeV N基因片段检测。结果:对采集的动物血样本进行NiV和HeV核酸检测,成功进行了一步法实时RT-PCR反应,没有发现阳性样本。初步流行病学研究提示我国新疆部分地区天然牧场放养的动物中可能不存在NiV和HeV感染,该地区出现NiV和HeV爆发的可能性较小。

尼帕病毒TaqMan探针荧光定量PCR检测方法建立

尼帕病毒病是一种人畜共患烈性传染病,为能够快速特异检测该病毒,本研究根据尼帕病毒(NiV)N基因序列保守区设计特异性引物和探针,建立一种针对NiV的TaqMan探针荧光定量PCR(qPCR)检测方法,该方法特异性好、敏感性高、稳定性强,可鉴别NiV与其他猪病病毒,扩增效率为102%,最低检测限14.8 copies/μL,敏感性高于常规PCR 10倍,该检测方法的建立可为NiV的快速检测提供技术手段,对促进猪类养殖业的健康发展具有重要意义。

尼帕病毒的最新研究进展

尼帕病毒是一种有包膜的多形性病毒,直径40~600nm,属于亨尼帕病毒属,副黏病毒科,单股负链RNA病毒目。病毒能引起人兽共患病,可在人际间传播,并在南亚、东南亚等地多次暴发流行。尼帕病毒主要侵害呼吸系统和中枢神经系统,引起急性发热、头痛和不同程度的意识障碍,病死率高达40%~75%。尼帕病毒已被世界卫生组织列入其重点病原体蓝图清单,作为8种最危险的病原体之一,需要监测并准备应对措施以防止大流行。然而目前尚缺乏有效的预防疫苗和特效的抗病毒药物,治疗主要依靠系统性对症支持疗法。本文就尼帕病毒在病毒学、致病机制、尼帕病毒感染的临床特征、诊断学、抗病毒药物、疫苗研发和流行病学等方面的最新研究进展展开综述,旨在为未来的研究和防控提供参考。

Outbreak of an emerging zoonotic Nipah virus:An emerging concern

The Nipah virus(NiV)infection is one of the newly emerging deadly zoonotic diseases which carries a significant weightage of mortality among its victims.Due to the relatively recent history of its emergence and only a few known outbreaks,we cannot predict but foresee its potential to create havoc,which can be far more dreadful than the current ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.Here we have tried to depict the fatal potential of the virus and the increased propensity with which it can spread to rest of the world.

Formulating one health policy for Nipah Outbreak in India: A neglected agenda

Dear editor, In India, it is high time to focus on one health approach to address the emerging/reemerging disease. The fight between microbe and man influence the inexorable archenemy that needs to be dealt. Since Second World War, there has been an average increase in emergence or reemergence of new diseases particularly from an animal source (75%)(1)India is identified as a major hotspot area for infectious diseases in South Asia regarding zoonoses(2)As this emergence of India as a Zoonotic hotspot, the consequence of it to further on other region and global health raises queries to global preparedness concerning epidemic potential.

研究人员开发出尼帕(Nipah)病毒的疫苗

Nipah病毒(NiV)为副粘病毒科Henipavirus属病毒,为人畜共患病病原体。感染后可引起严重的呼吸道疾病与症状,如咳嗽、头痛和发烧,进而可发展为脑炎、癫痫发作和昏迷。目前,尚无针对NiV的疫苗获批上市。近年来,马来西亚、新加坡、孟加拉国等国家报道了从蝙蝠到人或猪到人之间传播的疫情暴发,世界卫生组织将NiV列为需要采取紧急行动的优先病原体。

尼帕病毒性脑炎研究进展

尼帕病毒性脑炎是一种由尼帕病毒(Nipah virus)引起的人兽共患病,果蝠是该病毒的天然宿主,人感染后的主要临床症状为发热、头痛以及脑膜炎,死亡率为40%~70%。尼帕病毒可通过呼吸道飞沫、鼻腔分泌物等传播,动物食用被果蝠污染的食物也可被感染。研究表明,尼帕病毒可以通过被感染动物向人群传播,人与人通过直接接触也可相互传播。虽然我国尚未报告发生尼帕病毒性脑炎疫情,但我国周边国家如马来西亚、孟加拉国以及印度等相继报告人尼帕病毒性脑炎病例,加之我国南方省份是果蝠的自然分布区域,这些现状提示尼帕病毒性脑炎输入国内的风险较大,因而防范工作不能松懈。我国将尼帕病毒性脑炎列为一类动物疫病以及重点防范的外来动物疫病。本文重点综述了尼帕病毒的免疫逃避机制、尼帕病毒性脑炎防治手段,以期对国内尼帕病毒性脑炎的防范工作提供参考。

尼帕病毒性脑炎流行病学与防控研究现状

尼帕病毒性脑炎(Nipah virus encephalitis,NVE)是一种新发的人兽共患病,可引起致命性脑炎,发病率和致死率极高,主要流行于东南亚和西太平洋地区。果蝠为该病的天然宿主,可将病毒通过动物媒介传播至人,引发人际传播。近年来,马来西亚、新加坡、孟加拉国、菲律宾和印度等国都暴发了NVE。该病病原天然宿主分布广泛,尚无批准的疫苗或治疗药物,因此具有全球大流行的风险。该病无典型的临床特征,这大大增加了防控难度。在流行地区进行常规监测和对从流行地区返回人员进行及时检测,可以有效遏制NVE传播;加强对该病流行病学及相关传播风险因素研究以及生物安全防控、实验室诊断、疫苗免疫等防控措施研究,对防止NVE传入和及时控制其在国内的暴发至关重要。

Study of Fractional Order Dynamical System of Viral Infection Disease under Piecewise Derivative

This research aims to understand the fractional order dynamics of the deadly Nipah virus(NiV)disease.We focus on using piecewise derivatives in the context of classical and singular kernels of power operators in the Caputo sense to investigate the crossover behavior of the considered dynamical system.We establish some qualitative results about the existence and uniqueness of the solution to the proposed problem.By utilizing the Newtonian polynomials interpolation technique,we recall a powerful algorithm to interpret the numerical findings for the aforesaid model.Here,we remark that the said viral infection is caused by an RNA type virus which can transmit from animals and also from an infected person to person.Fruits bats which are also known as flying foxes are one of the sources of transmission of NiV disease.Here in this work,we investigate its transmission mechanism through some new concepts of fractional calculus for further analysis and prediction.We present the approximate results for different compartments using different fractional orders.By using the piecewise derivative concept,we detect the crossover ormulti-steps behavior in the transmission dynamics of the mentioned disease.Therefore,the considered form of the derivative is used to deal with problems exhibiting crossover behaviors.

尼帕病毒检测技术研究进展

尼帕病毒(Nipah virus,NiV)是一种人畜共患的高致病性病毒,人感染NiV后,死亡率接近40%;猪作为中间宿主,感染NiV后具有高发病率和高死亡率特点。近年来,NiV疫情在我国相邻的多个东南亚国家频繁出现,预示该病传入我国风险日益增高。通过介绍近年来NiV在血清学诊断和分子学诊断技术方面的研究进展,包括临床常用的传统技术以及重组蛋白ELISA、Luminex、二代测序等新兴诊断方法,为临床样本中NiV的鉴定和监测方法更新换代提供参考,对监测NiV从国外的传入情况、防控猪群NiV疫情发生以及守护公共卫生安全具有重大意义。

亨尼帕病毒研究概述

亨尼帕病毒(Henipaviruses)是副黏病毒科的一类负股单链RNA囊膜病毒,能引发人类和动物的脑炎和严重呼吸系统症状等,致死率高。近年来,亨尼帕病毒属新成员被不断发现,病毒分布范围逐渐扩大,其致病机制尚不清楚,对其感染尚无有效的预防和治疗手段,因而该病毒给全球公共卫生安全和畜牧产业发展带来严重威胁。本文通过对亨尼帕病毒的流行情况、致病机制及疫苗研发等研究进展进行概述,以期为该病防控提供参考。