Reviews
Nipah Virus Infection: A Narrative Review of Clinical Spectrum, Pathogenesis, and Emerging Preventive and Therapeutic Strategies
LE01-LE10
Correspondence
Dr. Pankaj Jambholkar,
Junior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha-442001, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: pankajjambholkar2081@gmail.com
Nipah virus (NiV) is known to be an emerging zoonotic pathogen of the Paramyxoviridae family, which was first identified in 1998, and is also associated with high morbidity and mortality due to severe encephalitis and respiratory illness. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated food, and human-to-human transmission , thereby further highlighting its epidemic potential. Despite significant advances in understanding its virology, pathogenesis, as well as clinical manifestations, NiV outbreaks continue to pose substantial public health challenges, usually in endemic regions. Current management of NiV remains largely supportive with no licensed antivirals or vaccines available, thus emphasising the need for effective medical countermeasures. Recent therapeutic developments must focus on monoclonal antibodies and antiviral agents, including Remdesivir, which have shown promising efficacy in preclinical studies. Vaccine candidates, including recombinant protein, viral vector, and mRNA-based platforms, are being examined in their early phases of clinical evaluation, showing potential for robust protection of immunity. Future research priorities must include the development of rapid point-of-care diagnosis, strengthening genomic surveillance while also implementing One Health approaches integrating human, animal and environmental data for the prevention of spillover events. Refining animal models and elucidating immune correlates of protection are very important aspects for translating preclinical successes into adequately licensed interventions for management approaches for NiV. Collaborative international frameworks as well as structured R&D roadmaps are critical options for the acceleration of vaccine and therapeutic development, thereby further ensuring rapid deployment during outbreaks. This narrative review article highlights current knowledge on the epidemiology of NiV, pathogenesis, clinical management, as well as emerging preventive-therapeutic strategies while also identifying critical research gaps. It underscores the need for a proactive, integrated approach which combines medical, public health and scientific efforts for the mitigation of the threat of NiV globally.