Hendra and Nipah viruses: pathogenesis, animal models and recent breakthroughs in vaccination

Abstract

Abstract: Hendra and Nipah viruses are two highly pathogenic zoonotic members of the genus Henipavirus , family Paramyxoviridae, requiring work under biosafety level 4 conditions due to a lack of effective therapy and human vaccines. Several vaccine candidates were protective in animal models: recombinant vaccinia virus expressing Nipah virus {(NiV)} F and G proteins in hamsters against {NiV;} recombinant {ALVAC–NiV} F and G in swine against {NiV;} recombinant Hendra virus {(HeV)} soluble G protein {(sG} {HeV} ) against {HeV} and {NiV} in cats, ferrets, horses, and African green monkeys {(AGM);} recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-based vectors expressing {NiV} F or G against {NiV} in hamsters and ferrets; measles virus-based {NiV} G vaccine candidate in hamsters and {AGMs} against {NiV;} and adenoassociated virus expressing {NiG} protein, which protected hamsters against {NiV.} The {sG} {HeV} was licensed for use in horses {(Equivac} {HeV} {®} ) in 2012. It is the first vaccine candidate licensed against a biosafety level 4 agent. With the development of suitable animal models (ferret, hamster and, importantly, {AGM),} progress can be made toward development of a human vaccine. Keywords: henipavirus, equine, swine, human infection, animal models, vaccine candidates