Preconception Vaccination with a Glycoprotein B (gB) DNA Vaccine Protects against Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Transmission in the Guinea Pig Model of Congenital CMV Infection

Mark R. Schleiss, Nigel Bourne, David I. Bernstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

DNA vaccines expressing the guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV) homologs of the glycoprotein B (gB) and UL83 proteins were evaluated for protection against congenital GPCMV infection. After 4 doses of DNA administered by epidermal (gene gun) route, all guinea pigs developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibody and, for gB-vaccine recipients, neutralizing antibody. Dams were challenged with 1 × 104 plaque-forming units of GPCMV in the third trimester. Preconception vaccination with gB did not decrease overall pup mortality, although, within the gB-vaccine group, pup mortality was lower among dams with high ELISA responses. Preconception maternal vaccination with gB vaccine significantly reduced congenital transmission in liveborn pups. In contrast, UL83 vaccine had no significant effect on pup mortality or vertical transmission of GPCMV. Virus load was significantly lower in infected pups born to gB- and UL83-vaccinated dams than in infected pups born to control dams. These data support the concept that subunit gB vaccination may be useful in protecting against CMV-induced disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1868-1874
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume188
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 15 2003
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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