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  1. Fulltext Potential for Person-to-Person Transmission of Henipaviruses: A Systematic Review of the Literature
    Hegde ST, Lee KH, Styczynski A, Jones FK, Gomes I, Das P, et al.
    J Infect Dis, 2024 Mar 14;229(3):733-742.
    PMID: 37925626 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad467
    Nipah virus Bangladesh (NiVB) is a bat-borne zoonosis transmitted between people through the respiratory route. The risk posed by related henipaviruses, including Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus Malaysia (NiVM), is less clear. We conducted a broad search of the literature encompassing both human infections and animal models to synthesize evidence about potential for person-to-person spread. More than 600 human infections have been reported in the literature, but information on viral shedding was only available for 40 case-patients. There is substantial evidence demonstrating person-to-person transmission of NiVB, and some evidence for NiVM. Less direct evidence is available about the risk for person-to-person transmission of HeV, but animals infected with HeV shed more virus in the respiratory tract than those infected with NiVM, suggesting potential for transmission. As the group of known henipaviruses continues to grow, shared protocols for conducting and reporting from human investigations and animal experiments are urgently needed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus*
  2. Nonhuman Primate Models for Nipah and Hendra Virus Countermeasure Evaluation
    Mire CE, Satterfield BA, Geisbert TW
    Methods Mol Biol, 2023;2682:159-173.
    PMID: 37610581 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3283-3_12
    Hendra and Nipah viruses are henipaviruses that have caused lethal human disease in Australia and Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines, respectively. These viruses are considered Category C pathogens by the US Centers for Disease Control. Nipah virus was recently placed on the World Health Organization Research and Development Blueprint Roadmaps for vaccine and therapeutic development. Given the infrequent and unpredictable nature of henipavirus outbreaks licensure of vaccines and therapeutics will likely require an animal model to demonstrate protective efficacy against henipavirus disease. Studies have shown that nonhuman primates are the most accurate model of human henipavirus disease and would be an important component of any application for licensure of a vaccine or antiviral drug under the US FDA Animal Rule. Nonhuman primate model selection and dosing are discussed regarding vaccine and therapeutic studies against henipaviruses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus*
  3. Fulltext Cross-protectivity of henipavirus soluble glycoprotein in an in vivo model of Nipah virus disease
    Findlay-Wilson S, Thakur N, Crossley L, Easterbrook L, Salguero FJ, Ruedas-Torres I, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2025;16:1517244.
    PMID: 40078997 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1517244
    INTRODUCTION: Nipah virus (NiV) is one of a group of highly pathogenic viruses classified within the Henipavirus genus. Since 2012 at least 11 new henipa-like viruses have been identified, including from new locations and reservoir hosts; the pathogenicity of these new viruses has yet to be determined, but two of them have been associated with morbidity, including fatalities.

    METHODS: The efficacy and cross-reactivity of two vaccine candidates derived from the soluble glycoproteins of both NiV and Hendra virus (HeV) was evaluated in our recently established hamster model.

    RESULTS: Both vaccine preparations resulted in strong humoral responses against NiV antigenic targets, demonstrating cross-reactive immunity. Efficacy was determined through challenge of hamsters with NiV Malaysian (NiV-M) strain. 100% of the hamsters survived a lethal challenge dose after prime/boost immunisation with glycoproteins derived from both NiV and HeV in the presence of adjuvant, with clinical signs and pathology being significantly reduced in immunised animals.

    DISCUSSION: This is first time the NiV and HeV soluble glycoproteins have been compared in the NiV-M hamster challenge model in the presence of Alhydrogel and AddaVax, providing evidence that glycoproteins from closely related henipavirus species can provide cross-protectivity against infection from alternate henipaviruses, supporting the potential of an effective pan-henipavirus vaccine for use in a frontline outbreak response.

    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/immunology
  4. Hendra and Nipah viruses: different and dangerous
    Eaton BT, Broder CC, Middleton D, Wang LF
    Nat Rev Microbiol, 2006 Jan;4(1):23-35.
    PMID: 16357858
    Hendra virus and Nipah virus are highly pathogenic paramyxoviruses that have recently emerged from flying foxes to cause serious disease outbreaks in humans and livestock in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh. Their unique genetic constitution, high virulence and wide host range set them apart from other paramyxoviruses. These features led to their classification into the new genus Henipavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae and to their designation as Biosafety Level 4 pathogens. This review provides an overview of henipaviruses and the types of infection they cause, and describes how studies on the structure and function of henipavirus proteins expressed from cloned genes have provided insights into the unique biological properties of these emerging human pathogens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/classification; Hendra Virus/genetics; Hendra Virus/pathogenicity*
  5. Fulltext Pteropid bats are confirmed as the reservoir hosts of henipaviruses: a comprehensive experimental study of virus transmission
    Halpin K, Hyatt AD, Fogarty R, Middleton D, Bingham J, Epstein JH, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2011 Nov;85(5):946-51.
    PMID: 22049055 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0567
    Bats of the genus Pteropus have been identified as the reservoir hosts for the henipaviruses Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV). The aim of these studies was to assess likely mechanisms for henipaviruses transmission from bats. In a series of experiments, Pteropus bats from Malaysia and Australia were inoculated with NiV and HeV, respectively, by natural routes of infection. Despite an intensive sampling strategy, no NiV was recovered from the Malaysian bats and HeV was reisolated from only one Australian bat; no disease was seen. These experiments suggest that opportunities for henipavirus transmission may be limited; therefore, the probability of a spillover event is low. For spillover to occur, a range of conditions and events must coincide. An alternate assessment framework is required if we are to fully understand how this reservoir host maintains and transmits not only these but all viruses with which it has been associated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/genetics; Hendra Virus/immunology; Hendra Virus/isolation & purification*
  6. Fulltext Henipavirus pathogenesis in human respiratory epithelial cells
    Escaffre O, Borisevich V, Carmical JR, Prusak D, Prescott J, Feldmann H, et al.
    J Virol, 2013 Mar;87(6):3284-94.
    PMID: 23302882 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.02576-12
    Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are deadly zoonotic viruses for which no vaccines or therapeutics are licensed for human use. Henipavirus infection causes severe respiratory illness and encephalitis. Although the exact route of transmission in human is unknown, epidemiological studies and in vivo studies suggest that the respiratory tract is important for virus replication. However, the target cells in the respiratory tract are unknown, as are the mechanisms by which henipaviruses can cause disease. In this study, we characterized henipavirus pathogenesis using primary cells derived from the human respiratory tract. The growth kinetics of NiV-Malaysia, NiV-Bangladesh, and HeV were determined in bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells (NHBE) and small airway epithelial cells (SAEC). In addition, host responses to infection were assessed by gene expression analysis and immunoassays. Viruses replicated efficiently in both cell types and induced large syncytia. The host response to henipavirus infection in NHBE and SAEC highlighted a difference in the inflammatory response between HeV and NiV strains as well as intrinsic differences in the ability to mount an inflammatory response between NHBE and SAEC. These responses were highest during HeV infection in SAEC, as characterized by the levels of key cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6], IL-8, IL-1α, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1], and colony-stimulating factors) responsible for immune cell recruitment. Finally, we identified virus strain-dependent variability in type I interferon antagonism in NHBE and SAEC: NiV-Malaysia counteracted this pathway more efficiently than NiV-Bangladesh and HeV. These results provide crucial new information in the understanding of henipavirus pathogenesis in the human respiratory tract at an early stage of infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/immunology*; Hendra Virus/pathogenicity*
  7. Host evasion by emerging paramyxoviruses: Hendra virus and Nipah virus v proteins inhibit interferon signaling
    Rodriguez JJ, Horvath CM
    Viral Immunol, 2004;17(2):210-9.
    PMID: 15279700
    Interferon (IFN) can activate Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) proteins to establish a cellular antiviral response and inhibit virus replication. Many viruses have evolved strategies to inhibit this antiviral mechanism, but paramyxoviruses are unique in their abilities to directly target the IFN-responsive STAT proteins. Hendra virus and Nipah virus (Henipaviruses) are recently emerged paramyxoviruses that are the causative agents of fatal disease outbreaks in Australia and peninsular Malaysia. Similar to other paramyxoviruses, Henipaviruses inhibit IFN signal transduction through a virus-encoded protein called V. Recent studies have shown that Henipavirus V proteins target STAT proteins by inducing the formation of cytoplasmically localized high molecular weight STAT-containing complexes. This sequestration of STAT1 and STAT2 prevents STAT activation and blocks antiviral IFN signaling. As the V proteins are important factors for host evasion, they represent logical targets for therapeutics directed against Henipavirus epidemics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/drug effects; Hendra Virus/chemistry*
  8. Hendra and Nipah viruses: pathogenesis and therapeutics
    Eaton BT, Broder CC, Wang LF
    Curr Mol Med, 2005 Dec;5(8):805-16.
    PMID: 16375714
    Within the past decade a number of new zoonotic paramyxoviruses emerged from flying foxes to cause serious disease outbreaks in man and livestock. Hendra virus was the cause of fatal infections of horses and man in Australia in 1994, 1999 and 2004. Nipah virus caused encephalitis in humans both in Malaysia in 1998/99, following silent spread of the virus in the pig population, and in Bangladesh from 2001 to 2004 probably as a result of direct bat to human transmission and spread within the human population. Hendra and Nipah viruses are highly pathogenic in humans with case fatality rates of 40% to 70%. Their genetic constitution, virulence and wide host range make them unique paramyxoviruses and they have been given Biosecurity Level 4 status in a new genus Henipavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae. Recent studies on the virulence, host range and cell tropisms of henipaviruses provide insights into the unique biological properties of these emerging human pathogens and suggest approaches for vaccine development and therapeutic countermeasures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/classification; Hendra Virus/pathogenicity*
  9. Fulltext A treatment for and vaccine against the deadly Hendra and Nipah viruses
    Broder CC, Xu K, Nikolov DB, Zhu Z, Dimitrov DS, Middleton D, et al.
    Antiviral Res, 2013 Oct;100(1):8-13.
    PMID: 23838047 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2013.06.012
    Hendra virus and Nipah virus are bat-borne paramyxoviruses that are the prototypic members of the genus Henipavirus. The henipaviruses emerged in the 1990s, spilling over from their natural bat hosts and causing serious disease outbreaks in humans and livestock. Hendra virus emerged in Australia and since 1994 there have been 7 human infections with 4 case fatalities. Nipah virus first appeared in Malaysia and subsequent outbreaks have occurred in Bangladesh and India. In total, there have been an estimated 582 human cases of Nipah virus and of these, 54% were fatal. Their broad species tropism and ability to cause fatal respiratory and/or neurologic disease in humans and animals make them important transboundary biological threats. Recent experimental findings in animals have demonstrated that a human monoclonal antibody targeting the viral G glycoprotein is an effective post-exposure treatment against Hendra and Nipah virus infection. In addition, a subunit vaccine based on the G glycoprotein of Hendra virus affords protection against Hendra and Nipah virus challenge. The vaccine has been developed for use in horses in Australia and is the first vaccine against a Biosafety Level-4 (BSL-4) agent to be licensed and commercially deployed. Together, these advances offer viable approaches to address Hendra and Nipah virus infection of livestock and people.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/drug effects*; Hendra Virus/genetics; Hendra Virus/immunology
  10. Crystal structures of Nipah and Hendra virus fusion core proteins
    Lou Z, Xu Y, Xiang K, Su N, Qin L, Li X, et al.
    FEBS J, 2006 Oct;273(19):4538-47.
    PMID: 16972940
    The Nipah and Hendra viruses are highly pathogenic paramyxoviruses that recently emerged from flying foxes to cause serious disease outbreaks in humans and livestock in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh. Their unique genetic constitution, high virulence and wide host range set them apart from other paramyxoviruses. These characteristics have led to their classification into the new genus Henpavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae and to their designation as Biosafety Level 4 pathogens. The fusion protein, an enveloped glycoprotein essential for viral entry, belongs to the family of class I fusion proteins and is characterized by the presence of two heptad repeat (HR) regions, HR1 and HR2. These two regions associate to form a fusion-active hairpin conformation that juxtaposes the viral and cellular membranes to facilitate membrane fusion and enable subsequent viral entry. The Hendra and Nipah virus fusion core proteins were crystallized and their structures determined to 2.2 A resolution. The Nipah and Hendra fusion core structures are six-helix bundles with three HR2 helices packed against the hydrophobic grooves on the surface of a central coiled coil formed by three parallel HR1 helices in an oblique antiparallel manner. Because of the high level of conservation in core regions, it is proposed that the Nipah and Hendra virus fusion cores can provide a model for membrane fusion in all paramyxoviruses. The relatively deep grooves on the surface of the central coiled coil represent a good target site for drug discovery strategies aimed at inhibiting viral entry by blocking hairpin formation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/chemistry*
  11. Fulltext Hendra virus and Nipah virus animal vaccines
    Broder CC, Weir DL, Reid PA
    Vaccine, 2016 06 24;34(30):3525-34.
    PMID: 27154393 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.03.075
    Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are zoonotic viruses that emerged in the mid to late 1990s causing disease outbreaks in livestock and people. HeV appeared in Queensland, Australia in 1994 causing a severe respiratory disease in horses along with a human case fatality. NiV emerged a few years later in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998-1999 causing a large outbreak of encephalitis with high mortality in people and also respiratory disease in pigs which served as amplifying hosts. The key pathological elements of HeV and NiV infection in several species of mammals, and also in people, are a severe systemic and often fatal neurologic and/or respiratory disease. In people, both HeV and NiV are also capable of causing relapsed encephalitis following recovery from an acute infection. The known reservoir hosts of HeV and NiV are several species of pteropid fruit bats. Spillovers of HeV into horses continue to occur in Australia and NiV has caused outbreaks in people in Bangladesh and India nearly annually since 2001, making HeV and NiV important transboundary biological threats. NiV in particular possesses several features that underscore its potential as a pandemic threat, including its ability to infect humans directly from natural reservoirs or indirectly from other susceptible animals, along with a capacity of limited human-to-human transmission. Several HeV and NiV animal challenge models have been developed which have facilitated an understanding of pathogenesis and allowed for the successful development of both active and passive immunization countermeasures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus*
  12. Fulltext Resistance of Cynomolgus Monkeys to Nipah and Hendra Virus Disease Is Associated With Cell-Mediated and Humoral Immunity
    Prasad AN, Woolsey C, Geisbert JB, Agans KN, Borisevich V, Deer DJ, et al.
    J Infect Dis, 2020 05 11;221(Suppl 4):S436-S447.
    PMID: 32022850 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz613
    BACKGROUND: The henipaviruses, Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV), are capable of causing severe and often lethal respiratory and/or neurologic disease in animals and humans. Given the sporadic nature of henipavirus outbreaks, licensure of vaccines and therapeutics for human use will likely require demonstration of efficacy in animal models that faithfully reproduce the human condition. Currently, the African green monkey (AGM) best mimics human henipavirus-induced disease.

    METHODS: The pathogenic potential of HeV and both strains of NiV (Malaysia, Bangladesh) was assessed in cynomolgus monkeys and compared with henipavirus-infected historical control AGMs. Multiplex gene and protein expression assays were used to compare host responses.

    RESULTS: In contrast to AGMs, in which henipaviruses cause severe and usually lethal disease, HeV and NiVs caused only mild or asymptomatic infections in macaques. All henipaviruses replicated in macaques with similar kinetics as in AGMs. Infection in macaques was associated with activation and predicted recruitment of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, Th1 cells, IgM+ B cells, and plasma cells. Conversely, fatal outcome in AGMs was associated with aberrant innate immune signaling, complement dysregulation, Th2 skewing, and increased secretion of MCP-1.

    CONCLUSION: The restriction factors identified in macaques can be harnessed for development of effective countermeasures against henipavirus disease.

    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus*
  13. Fulltext A Hendra virus G glycoprotein subunit vaccine protects African green monkeys from Nipah virus challenge
    Bossart KN, Rockx B, Feldmann F, Brining D, Scott D, LaCasse R, et al.
    Sci Transl Med, 2012 Aug 08;4(146):146ra107.
    PMID: 22875827 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3004241
    In the 1990s, Hendra virus and Nipah virus (NiV), two closely related and previously unrecognized paramyxoviruses that cause severe disease and death in humans and a variety of animals, were discovered in Australia and Malaysia, respectively. Outbreaks of disease have occurred nearly every year since NiV was first discovered, with case fatality ranging from 10 to 100%. In the African green monkey (AGM), NiV causes a severe lethal respiratory and/or neurological disease that essentially mirrors fatal human disease. Thus, the AGM represents a reliable disease model for vaccine and therapeutic efficacy testing. We show that vaccination of AGMs with a recombinant subunit vaccine based on the henipavirus attachment G glycoprotein affords complete protection against subsequent NiV infection with no evidence of clinical disease, virus replication, or pathology observed in any challenged subjects. Success of the recombinant subunit vaccine in nonhuman primates provides crucial data in supporting its further preclinical development for potential human use.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/immunology*
  14. Epidemiology of henipavirus disease in humans
    Luby SP, Gurley ES
    Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol., 2012;359:25-40.
    PMID: 22752412 DOI: 10.1007/82_2012_207
    All seven recognized human cases of Hendra virus (HeV) infection have occurred in Queensland, Australia. Recognized human infections have all resulted from a HeV infected horse that was unusually efficient in transmitting the virus and a person with a high exposure to infectious secretions. In the large outbreak in Malaysia where Nipah virus (NiV) was first identified, most human infections resulted from close contact with NiV infected pigs. Outbreak investigations in Bangladesh have identified drinking raw date palm sap as the most common pathway of NiV transmission from Pteropus bats to people, but person-to-person transmission of NiV has been repeatedly identified in Bangladesh and India. Although henipaviruses are not easily transmitted to people, these newly recognized, high mortality agents warrant continued scientific attention.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/isolation & purification*; Hendra Virus/pathogenicity
  15. Introduction: Nipah virus--discovery and origin
    Chua KB
    Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol., 2012;359:1-9.
    PMID: 22782307 DOI: 10.1007/82_2012_218
    Until the Nipah outbreak in Malaysia in 1999, knowledge of human infections with the henipaviruses was limited to the small number of cases associated with the emergence of Hendra virus in Australia in 1994. The Nipah outbreak in Malaysia alerted the global public health community to the severe pathogenic potential and widespread distribution of these unique paramyxoviruses. This chapter briefly describes the initial discovery of Nipah virus and the challenges encountered during the initial identification and characterisation of the aetiological agent responsible for the outbreak of febrile encephalitis. The initial attempts to isolate Nipah virus from the bat reservoir host are also described.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/isolation & purification; Hendra Virus/pathogenicity
  16. Fulltext Host gene expression profiles in ferrets infected with genetically distinct henipavirus strains
    Leon AJ, Borisevich V, Boroumand N, Seymour R, Nusbaum R, Escaffre O, et al.
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2018 03;12(3):e0006343.
    PMID: 29538374 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006343
    Henipavirus infection causes severe respiratory and neurological disease in humans that can be fatal. To characterize the pathogenic mechanisms of henipavirus infection in vivo, we performed experimental infections in ferrets followed by genome-wide gene expression analysis of lung and brain tissues. The Hendra, Nipah-Bangladesh, and Nipah-Malaysia strains caused severe respiratory and neurological disease with animals succumbing around 7 days post infection. Despite the presence of abundant viral shedding, animal-to-animal transmission did not occur. The host gene expression profiles of the lung tissue showed early activation of interferon responses and subsequent expression of inflammation-related genes that coincided with the clinical deterioration. Additionally, the lung tissue showed unchanged levels of lymphocyte markers and progressive downregulation of cell cycle genes and extracellular matrix components. Infection in the brain resulted in a limited breadth of the host responses, which is in accordance with the immunoprivileged status of this organ. Finally, we propose a model of the pathogenic mechanisms of henipavirus infection that integrates multiple components of the host responses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/immunology; Hendra Virus/pathogenicity
  17. Fulltext Evolution of Nipah Virus Infection: Past, Present, and Future Considerations
    Hauser N, Gushiken AC, Narayanan S, Kottilil S, Chua JV
    Trop Med Infect Dis, 2021 Feb 14;6(1).
    PMID: 33672796 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6010024
    Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic paramyxovirus of the Henipavirus genus first identified in Malaysia in 1998. Henipaviruses have bat reservoir hosts and have been isolated from fruit bats found across Oceania, Asia, and Africa. Bat-to-human transmission is thought to be the primary mode of human NiV infection, although multiple intermediate hosts are described. Human infections with NiV were originally described as a syndrome of fever and rapid neurological decline following contact with swine. More recent outbreaks describe a syndrome with prominent respiratory symptoms and human-to-human transmission. Nearly annual outbreaks have been described since 1998 with case fatality rates reaching greater than 90%. The ubiquitous nature of the reservoir host, increasing deforestation, multiple mode of transmission, high case fatality rate, and lack of effective therapy or vaccines make NiV's pandemic potential increasingly significant. Here we review the epidemiology and microbiology of NiV as well as the therapeutic agents and vaccines in development.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus
  18. Fulltext Matrix proteins of Nipah and Hendra viruses interact with beta subunits of AP-3 complexes
    Sun W, McCrory TS, Khaw WY, Petzing S, Myers T, Schmitt AP
    J Virol, 2014 Nov;88(22):13099-110.
    PMID: 25210190 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.02103-14
    Paramyxoviruses and other negative-strand RNA viruses encode matrix proteins that coordinate the virus assembly process. The matrix proteins link the viral glycoproteins and the viral ribonucleoproteins at virus assembly sites and often recruit host machinery that facilitates the budding process. Using a co-affinity purification strategy, we have identified the beta subunit of the AP-3 adapter protein complex, AP3B1, as a binding partner for the M proteins of the zoonotic paramyxoviruses Nipah virus and Hendra virus. Binding function was localized to the serine-rich and acidic Hinge domain of AP3B1, and a 29-amino-acid Hinge-derived polypeptide was sufficient for M protein binding in coimmunoprecipitation assays. Virus-like particle (VLP) production assays were used to assess the relationship between AP3B1 binding and M protein function. We found that for both Nipah virus and Hendra virus, M protein expression in the absence of any other viral proteins led to the efficient production of VLPs in transfected cells, and this VLP production was potently inhibited upon overexpression of short M-binding polypeptides derived from the Hinge region of AP3B1. Both human and bat (Pteropus alecto) AP3B1-derived polypeptides were highly effective at inhibiting the production of VLPs. VLP production was also impaired through small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of AP3B1 from cells. These findings suggest that AP-3-directed trafficking processes are important for henipavirus particle production and identify a new host protein-virus protein binding interface that could become a useful target in future efforts to develop small molecule inhibitors to combat paramyxoviral infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/physiology*
  19. Fulltext Evidence of exposure to henipaviruses in domestic pigs in Uganda
    Atherstone C, Diederich S, Weingartl HM, Fischer K, Balkema-Buschmann A, Grace D, et al.
    Transbound Emerg Dis, 2019 Mar;66(2):921-928.
    PMID: 30576076 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13105
    Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV), belonging to the genus Henipavirus, are among the most pathogenic of viruses in humans. Old World fruit bats (family Pteropodidae) are the natural reservoir hosts. Molecular and serological studies found evidence of henipavirus infection in fruit bats from several African countries. However, little is known about the potential for spillover into domestic animals in East Africa, particularly pigs, which served as amplifying hosts during the first outbreak of NiV in Malaysia and Singapore. We collected sera from 661 pigs presented for slaughter in Uganda between December 2015 and October 2016. Using HeV G and NiV G indirect ELISAs, 14 pigs (2%) were seroreactive in at least one ELISA. Seroprevalence increased to 5.4% in October 2016, when pigs were 9.5 times more likely to be seroreactive than pigs sampled in December 2015 (p = 0.04). Eight of the 14 ELISA-positive samples reacted with HeV N antigen in Western blot. None of the sera neutralized HeV or NiV in plaque reduction neutralization tests. Although we did not detect neutralizing antibodies, our results suggest that pigs in Uganda are exposed to henipaviruses or henipa-like viruses. Pigs in this study were sourced from many farms throughout Uganda, suggesting multiple (albeit rare) introductions of henipaviruses into the pig population. We postulate that given the widespread distribution of Old World fruit bats in Africa, spillover of henipaviruses from fruit bats to pigs in Uganda could result in exposure of pigs at multiple locations. A higher risk of a spillover event at the end of the dry season might be explained by higher densities of bats and contact with pigs at this time of the year, exacerbated by nutritional stress in bat populations and their reproductive cycle. Future studies should prioritize determining the risk of spillover of henipaviruses from pigs to people, so that potential risks can be mitigated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/isolation & purification*
  20. Vaccines to Emerging Viruses: Nipah and Hendra
    Amaya M, Broder CC
    Annu Rev Virol, 2020 09 29;7(1):447-473.
    PMID: 32991264 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-021920-113833
    Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are bat-borne zoonotic para-myxoviruses identified in the mid- to late 1990s in outbreaks of severe disease in livestock and people in Australia and Malaysia, respectively. HeV repeatedly re-emerges in Australia while NiV continues to cause outbreaks in South Asia (Bangladesh and India), and these viruses have remained transboundary threats. In people and several mammalian species, HeV and NiV infections present as a severe systemic and often fatal neurologic and/or respiratory disease. NiV stands out as a potential pandemic threat because of its associated high case-fatality rates and capacity for human-to-human transmission. The development of effective vaccines, suitable for people and livestock, against HeV and NiV has been a research focus. Here, we review the progress made in NiV and HeV vaccine development, with an emphasis on those approaches that have been tested in established animal challenge models of NiV and HeV infection and disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hendra Virus/immunology*
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