Abstract

INVESTIGATIONAL THERAPEUTICS FOR NIPAH VIRUS DISEASE

Sukriti Mondal, Megha Roy and Jeenatara Begum*

ABSTRACT

The Nipah virus (NiV) is a serious public health risk because of its high case fatality rate and lack of specific antiviral therapy. Treatment at present is mainly supportive, managing symptoms like fever, respiratory failure, and neurological impairment. This involves hydration, respiratory care, and seizure control. Although there are no approved antiviral medications that target NiV directly, study has investigated certain therapeutic contenders. One such contender is the antiviral drug ribavirin, but its effectiveness is not conclusive. The studies have yielded mixed results, and there are no controlled clinical trials. In addition, monoclonal antibody therapy, specifically m102.4, has been promising in preclinical models and has been utilized on a compassionate-use basis. The therapy is against the NiV G glycoprotein, which is designed to neutralize the virus. Other antiviral drugs, including remdesivir and favipiravir, are also being investigatedfor their antiviral activity against NiV. Continued research is vital for developing effective antiviral therapies and vaccines to counteract NiV infections. Standardized treatment protocols and the implementation of rigorous clinical trials are needed to enhance patient outcomes during Nipah virus epidemics.

Keywords: The Characteristics of the Nipah virus, The structure of viruses, Nipah Virus Infection, Viral Immune Evasion, Virus Tropism and Tissular Injury, Clinical Presentation, Nipah Virus Transmission.