Transmission routes for nipah virus from Malaysia and Bangladesh

Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Dec;18(12):1983-93. doi: 10.3201/eid1812.120875.

Abstract

Human infections with Nipah virus in Malaysia and Bangladesh are associated with markedly different patterns of transmission and pathogenicity. To compare the 2 strains, we conducted an in vivo study in which 2 groups of ferrets were oronasally exposed to either the Malaysia or Bangladesh strain of Nipah virus. Viral shedding and tissue tropism were compared between the 2 groups. Over the course of infection, significantly higher levels of viral RNA were recovered from oral secretions of ferrets infected with the Bangladesh strain. Higher levels of oral shedding of the Bangladesh strain of Nipah virus might be a key factor in onward transmission in outbreaks among humans.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / metabolism
  • Bangladesh
  • Choroid Plexus / metabolism
  • Choroid Plexus / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Endothelium / metabolism
  • Endothelium / pathology
  • Ependyma / metabolism
  • Ependyma / pathology
  • Ferrets / virology
  • Henipavirus Infections / pathology
  • Henipavirus Infections / transmission*
  • Henipavirus Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Malaysia
  • Male
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Nipah Virus / pathogenicity
  • Nipah Virus / physiology*
  • Palatine Tonsil / metabolism
  • Palatine Tonsil / pathology
  • Viral Load
  • Virus Shedding

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral