Persistent T Cell Immunity Following Nipah Virus Infection: Evidence From Malaysian Survivors

The Journal of Infectious Diseases 2026 Open access

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Authors: Puteri Ainaa S. Ibrahim, Hui Ming Ong, Heng Choon Cheong, Chong Tin Tan, Jie Ping Schee, Michael S. Avumegah, Won Fen Wong, Li-Yen Chang
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiag017
Cited by: 2
References: 13

Abstract

Nipah virus (NiV) induces strong humoral immunity, but the durability of NiV-specific memory T-cell responses remains unclear. We characterized cellular immunity approximately 25 years after infection in 4 survivors of the 1998 Malaysian outbreak. PBMCs were stimulated with overlapping peptide mini-pools spanning the NiV fusion (NiV-F) and attachment (NiV-G) glycoproteins, and responses were assessed using enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot and intracellular cytokine staining. Durable cytokine-producing T-cell responses were detected, with immunodominant epitopes in the NiV-G ectodomain. Survivors with neurological sequelae exhibited stronger T-cell responses and cognitive impairment, highlighting persistent cellular immunity decades after infection with implications for vaccine development.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Virology and Viral Diseases Immune responses and vaccinations Poxvirus research and outbreaks

Publication details

Journal / source
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Volume
233
Issue
5
Pages
e1261–e1266
Publication date
6 January 2026
Language
EN