Mapping the geodispersal and evolutionary dynamics of regional Nipah virus strain in Bangladesh

Microbiology Spectrum

卷:14

Research Article

Md. Mahfuzur Rahman^1,2  Shahreen Rahman¹  Samiur Rahim¹  Mohammad Enayet Hossain¹  Syed Moinuddin Satter¹  John D. Klena³  Shannon Whitmer³  Tahmina Shirin⁴  Joel M. Montgomery³  Ariful Islam⁵  Jonathan H. Epstein⁶  Maria E. Kaczmarek⁷  Iqbal Kabir Jahid²  Mohammed Ziaur Rahman¹ 

[1] Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia

[2] Infectious Diseases Division (IDD), icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh

[3] Department of Biology, City College of New York, New York, New York, USA

[4] Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jessore, Bangladesh

[5] Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Dhaka, Bangladesh

[6] EcoHealth Alliance, New York, New York, USA

[7] Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

关键词: Nipah virus;    phylodynamic;    geodispersal;    evolutionary dynamics;    transmission;    Bangladesh;   

DOI  :  10.1128/spectrum.02319-25

 received in 2025-08-13, accepted in 2025-12-22,  发布年份 2026

来源: American Society for Microbiology

【 摘 要 】

ABSTRACTNipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic pathogen causing severe respiratory and neurological disease in humans, with high fatality rates, primarily transmitted from fruit bats to humans through bat-tainted raw date palm sap and fruits. NiV outbreaks have occurred almost annually across 34 of 64 districts in Bangladesh. The study investigated the geodispersal patterns and evolutionary phylodynamics of NiV, aiding in more effective outbreak management strategies in Bangladesh. Phylodynamic and geographic evolutionary analyses were conducted using the nucleoprotein (N) gene sequence (n = 23) isolated from human and bat samples (2016–2023), along with publicly available NiV genomes up through November 2024. Bayesian evolutionary analysis of NiV spatiotemporal data suggested NiV clade expansion and the emergence of a new lineage, possibly driven by genetic mutations over time, and identified potential risk areas for NiV infections. The analysis revealed that Bangladeshi NiV strains diverged into two major lineages, BD-1 and BD-2, around 1984. BD-1 is split into NiV-BD1.1 and BD1.2 (first detected in 2004), while BD-2 emerged in 2008, later diverging into BD2.1 and BD2.2. As of 2023, most bat-derived NiV sequences belong to the BD-2 lineage. The estimated evolutionary rate of NiV in Bangladesh is 4.89 × 10⁻⁴ substitutions/site/year (95% HPD: 3.71 × 10⁻⁴ – 6.45 × 10⁻⁴), with genetic clusters spanning from 6.54 km to 116.09 km. Our findings highlight ongoing evolution, the emergence of sub-lineages, and the geographic expansion of NiV in Bangladesh, underscoring the value of phylogeographic approaches in guiding targeted surveillance and control strategies.IMPORTANCEA comprehensive understanding of the spread and evolution of the Nipah virus is critical, as it causes severe disease and frequent outbreaks in Bangladesh. This study provides a detailed look into how different strains of the Nipah virus have geographically moved and genetically changed over nearly two decades. By analyzing virus samples from fruit bats and infected human cases, the study reveals that the virus has formed two distinct sub-lineages, evolving separately at different times and regions of Bangladesh. Identifying these groups helps pinpoint areas most at risk for future outbreaks. These insights are important for identifying high-risk regions and informing surveillance priorities for early detection and preparedness, particularly in areas with recurring spillover events. Ultimately, this research emphasizes the importance of continuously monitoring Nipah virus evolution in both bats and humans, guiding public health strategies to manage and reduce the impact of this dangerous disease in Bangladesh and other regions.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
This is a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Foreign copyrights may apply.

【 图 表 】

Figure 3

Figure 10

Figure 10

Figure 12

Figure 7

Figure 8