3rd June 2024 (12 Topics)

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Breakthrough in Nipah Virus Research

Context

Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV) developed a safe and effective way to generate non-infectious Nipah virus-like particles (VLPs) in the laboratory.

Key-highlights of the research:

This breakthrough provides a safer platform for research and development of treatments against the deadly Nipah virus (NiV) in a BSL-2 laboratory.
It brings researchers closer to developing monoclonal antibodies and antivirals against NiV and similar pathogens.
Characteristics of VLPs:
- VLPs closely resemble viruses but are non-infectious as they contain no viral genetic material.
- They carry most of the virus's characteristics, making them valuable tools for studying viral binding, entry kinetics, and immune responses.
HiBiT-Tagged NiV-VLPs:
Scientists created "HiBiT-tagged" Nipah virus-like particles (NiV-VLPs) using plasmid-based expression systems.
These VLPs are identical to the native virus but cannot replicate.
The inclusion of a highly sensitive HiBiT tag accelerates their potential in antiviral drug screening and vaccine development.
HiBiT-tagged VLPs offer reduced risks compared to using native viruses in research assays.
This method is applicable to other virulent pathogens and is advantageous for studying BSL-3/BSL-4 level viruses in lower bio-containment levels.

Fact Box: About Nipah Virus

Transmission: Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people.
Pathogenicity: This virus is highly dangerous, with a fatality rate of up to 80% in humans.
Hosts: Fruit bats (family Pteropodidae), especially those from the Pteropus genus, are the natural hosts for Nipah virus. Interestingly, fruit bats don't seem to get sick from it.
Treatment: Currently, there are no specific drugs or vaccines for Nipah virus infection. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized Nipah as a priority disease for research and development.
Research on Nipah virus has been limited because of the strict biosafety precautions required for handling this dangerous pathogen, which is classified as a BSL-4 pathogen.

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Breakthrough in Nipah Virus Research

Key-highlights of the research:

Fact Box: About Nipah Virus

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