Clinical Progression, Viral Load Dynamics, and Immune Kinetics of Nipah Virus Infection: Nipah Virus Kinetics Study Protocol
Anika Farzin, Shadman Sakib Choudhury, Wasik Rahman Aquib, Sharmin Sultana, Mintu Chowdhury, Faruq Abdulla, Arifa Nazneen, Kamal Ibne Amin Chowdhury, Tonmoy Sarkar, Dewan Imtiaz Rahman, Mohammad Mamun Alam, Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, Ayesha Siddika, Tahsin Tabassum Anonto, Sinthia Karim, Md. Taufiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, Christina F. Spiropoulou, Michael K. Lo, Trevor Shoemaker, Mohammed Ziaur Rahman, Sayera Banu, Tahmina Shirin, Firdausi Qadri, Joel M. Montgomery, Syed Moinuddin SatterAbstract
Background : Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic pathogen with pandemic potential. Understanding the immune response to this pathogen is important for developing vaccines and therapeutics. This study aims to characterize viral load, host immune kinetics, and biomarker progression throughout NiV infection.
Methods : We will utilize the ongoing NiV surveillance platform in Bangladesh to enroll individuals with confirmed NiV infection. Oropharyngeal swabs and blood samples will be collected following the protocol. Oropharyngeal swabs will be taken daily until two consecutive negative results are obtained. Blood samples will be collected every 48 hours from initial detection of the virus until discharge from the hospital to assess IgM and IgG. Among survivors, 5 ml of blood will be collected every 15 days for 3 months from initial detection of the virus and then every 30 days up to 6 months. Viral load will be measured using RT‐qPCR. Immune kinetics will be assessed using quantitative enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and biomarkers will be analyzed via ELISA. Clinical progression, viral load, immune response, and biomarker patterns will be observed and documented.
Discussion : The study is expected to characterize the temporal trends of viral load and immune responses and examine their association with clinical progression, epidemiological indices, and disease outcome. Findings from this study could enhance understanding of the human immune response to NiV and inform diagnostic schedules and vaccine and therapeutics development. © 2026 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.