A Novel Live-Attenuated Vaccine Candidate for Mayaro Fever

William J. Weise, Meghan E. Hermance, Naomi Forrester, A. Paige Adams, Rose Langsjoen, Rodion Gorchakov, Eryu Wang, Maria D.H. Alcorn, Konstantin Tsetsarkin, Scott C. Weaver

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an emerging, mosquito-borne alphavirus that causes a dengue-like illness in many regions of South America, and which has the potential to urbanize. Because no specific treatment or vaccine is available for MAYV infection, we capitalized on an IRES-based approach to develop a live-attenuated MAYV vaccine candidate. Testing in infant, immunocompetent as well as interferon receptor-deficient mice demonstrated a high degree of attenuation, strong induction of neutralizing antibodies, and efficacy against lethal challenge. This vaccine strain was also unable to infect mosquito cells, a major safety feature for a live vaccine derived from a mosquito-borne virus. Further preclinical development of this vaccine candidate is warranted to protect against this important emerging disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere2969
JournalPLoS neglected tropical diseases
Volume8
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 7 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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