Ni Dashi and immunotherapy for epidemic haemorrhagic fever in China, 1950s–1990s

Ni Dashi (倪大石, 1925–2022) was a Chinese microbiologist who developed an immunotherapy for epidemic haemorrhagic fever (EHF) in China between 1985 and 1988. Since 1950s, China had been plagued by this disease, urging scientists to dedicate themselves to virus isolation and the exploration of specific treatments. Among them, Ni and his team led the isolation of the virus in China. Building on this breakthrough, Ni developed a transfer factor derived from virus-immunized porcine spleens to modulate patients’ immune responses and alleviate their symptoms. This essay reawakens recognition of Ni's significant yet overlooked contribution to the development of immunotherapy for EHF.