China
Africa
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Nipah encephalitis, a fatal encephalitis with bats as reservoir
Published in Avindra Nath, Joseph R. Berger, Clinical Neurovirology, 2020
Of the 94 patients with symptomatic Nipah virus infection seen in the University of Malaya Medical Centre during the Malaysian outbreak, more than half of the patients had affected family members suggesting a disease of high infection rate [20]. In a study of 14 households with 110 members in the outbreak area, 27% had symptomatic Nipah infection, and another 8% had subclinical infection with seroconversion. This suggests a ratio of roughly three to one for symptomatic versus asymptomatic infection [15]. The main demographic features of 103 patients treated in another hospital were 88% males, mean age of 38 years, and 78% pig farmers or hired workers [21].
Nanovaccine: an emerging strategy
Published in Expert Review of Vaccines, 2021
The precise design of immunogenic epitopes of entrapped or surface displayed antigens, along with sophistication of biocompatible nanoparticles form an attractive alternative to conventional vaccines. By a tunable size, shape and attached functional groups, targeted delivery of various bioactive compounds via intravenous, intramuscular and mucosal routes can be assured by NPs. Emerging preclinical evidences suggest PLGA, cationic liposomes and SLNs to be promising NP platforms for new generation vaccines that address the short-comings of various live-attenuated and subunit vaccines. However, research should advance in terms of safety, commercial feasibility and cost-effectiveness for successful clinical translations of potent nanovaccines against fatal infectious diseases like Ebola hemorrhagic fever, influenza, Nipah virus infection, dengue, visceral leishmaniasis, HIV, Lassa hemorrhagic fever, trypanosomiasis etc. and cancer. Additionally, cationic mucoadhesive polymers may find extensive use in case of orally, vaginally and respiratory transmitted diseases like influenza, TB, HIV and Herpes where mucosal immunity plays a vital role.