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Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)2023; 2682; 205-217; doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3283-3_15

Ferret Models for Henipavirus Infection.

Abstract: Henipaviruses are emerging zoonotic viruses that can cause outbreaks of severe respiratory and neurological disease in humans and animals such as horses. The mechanism by which these viruses can cause disease remain largely unknown and to date there are no therapeutics or vaccines approved for use in humans. Nipah virus is listed on the World Health Organization R & D Blueprint list of epidemic threats. In order to advance the availability of effective therapeutics and vaccines and medicines that can be used to save lives and avert large scale crises, animal models are required which recapitulate the disease progression in humans. Ferrets are highly susceptible to infection with henipaviruses and develop both severe respiratory and neurological disease. Therefore, the ferret model is highly suitable for studies into both the pathogenesis of henipaviruses, as well as pre-clinical evaluation of intervention strategies.
© 2023. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
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Publication Date: 2023-08-23 PubMed ID: 37610584PubMed Central: 3291367DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3283-3_15Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focuses on henipaviruses, notably the Nipah virus, which are capable of causing serious respiratory and neurological diseases in humans and animals such as horses. The mechanisms for this are largely unknown and there are currently no approved treatments. The study suggests that ferrets, who exhibit severe reactions to these viruses, could be used as models for understanding the disease progression and testing potential therapeutic strategies.

Understanding Henipaviruses

  • Henipaviruses are a group of viruses that are transmitted to humans and other animals from fruit bats and can cause severe respiratory and neurological diseases.
  • The mechanisms through which these viruses cause disease are largely not understood, resulting in a lack of effective therapeutics or vaccines approved for use in humans.
  • The Nipah virus, a type of henipavirus, is considered an epidemic threat by the World Health Organization due to its potential for causing widespread disease outbreaks.

The Use of Ferrets in the Study

  • Ferrets, being highly susceptible to henipavirus infection, are considered a suitable model for studying the pathogenesis of these diseases.
  • When infected, ferrets develop both severe respiratory and neurological symptoms similar to humans, making them an appropriate species for such investigative works.
  • By studying the disease progression in ferrets, researchers hope to gain insight into how the virus behaves in humans, with the ultimate aim of developing effective treatments and/or vaccines.

Advancements in Therapeutics and Vaccines

  • The use of ferret models can aid in the pre-clinical evaluation of potential intervention strategies, offering a valuable resource in the path to developing treatments and vaccines.
  • Through these studies, researchers aim to produce medicines capable of saving lives and averting large-scale crises caused by outbreaks of henipaviruses in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Rockx B, Mire CE. (2023). Ferret Models for Henipavirus Infection. Methods Mol Biol, 2682, 205-217. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3283-3_15

Publication

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
ISSN: 1940-6029
NlmUniqueID: 9214969
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 2682
Pages: 205-217

Researcher Affiliations

Rockx, Barry
  • Wageningen Bioveterinary Institute, Lelystad and Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Barry.rockx@wur.nl.
Mire, Chad E
  • Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
  • Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Henipavirus Infections
  • Ferrets
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Disease Progression
  • Epidemics

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Cong Y, Bearss J, Mani V, Lackemeyer M, Pahar B, Huzella LM, Kollins E, Mazur S, Dixit S, Lembirik S, Drawbaugh D, Sayre PJ, Laux J, Solomon J, Hammoud DA, Lee JH, Calcagno C, Byrum R, St Claire M, Wada J, Munster V, Holbrook MR. Large-particle aerosol exposure to the Bangladesh or Malaysia strain of Nipah virus results in markedly divergent disease presentation in African Green Monkeys. PLoS Pathog 2025 Dec;21(12):e1013835.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013835pubmed: 41460894google scholar: lookup
  2. Grizer CS, Elliott KC, Singh G, Vogt MR, Mattapallil JJ. Respiratory infection with Enterovirus D68 induces severe acute lung inflammation in the pediatric ferret model. iScience 2025 Aug 15;28(8):113071.
    doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.113071pubmed: 40727933google scholar: lookup
  3. Chan XHS, Haeusler IL, Choy BJK, Hassan MZ, Takata J, Hurst TP, Jones LM, Loganathan S, Harriss E, Dunning J, Tarning J, Carroll MW, Horby PW, Olliaro PL. Therapeutics for Nipah virus disease: a systematic review to support prioritisation of drug candidates for clinical trials. Lancet Microbe 2025 May;6(5):101002.
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