Defective Interfering Viral Particle Treatment Reduces Clinical Signs and Protects Hamsters from Lethal Nipah Virus Disease
Stephen R. Welch, Jessica R. Spengler, Jessica R. Harmon, JoAnn D. Coleman-McCray, Florine E. M. Scholte, Sarah C. Genzer, Michael K. Lo, Joel M. Montgomery, Stuart T. Nichol, Christina F. Spiropoulou
Abstract
Here, we demonstrate that treatment with defective interfering particles (DIs), a natural by-product of viral infection, can significantly improve the clinical course and outcome of viral disease. When present with their parental virus, DIs can directly or indirectly alter viral propagation kinetics and exert potent inhibitory properties in cell culture. We evaluated the efficacy of a selection of virus-like particles containing DI genomes (TIPs) delivered intranasally in a lethal hamster model of Nipah virus disease. We demonstrate significantly improved clinical outcomes, including reduction in both lethality and the appearance of clinical signs. This work provides key efficacy data in a robust model of Nipah virus disease to support further development of TIP-mediated treatment against high-consequence viral pathogens.