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Limited infection upon human exposure to a recombinant raccoon pox vaccine vector

Tonie E Rocke1, F Joshua Dein, Martina Fuchsberger

  • 1USGS National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI 53711, USA. tonie_rocke@usgs.gov

Vaccine
|July 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

A laboratory accident exposed a person to a recombinant raccoon poxvirus (RCN) vaccine vector. The patient developed a lesion and antibodies, marking the first documented human exposure to RCN.

Area of Science:

  • * Virology and Vaccinology
  • * Zoonotic Disease Research

Background:

  • * Development of recombinant raccoon poxvirus (RCN) as a vaccine vector for Yersinia pestis antigens.
  • * Intended use for protecting wild rodents and other animals against plague.

Observation:

  • * A laboratory accident led to accidental human exposure to the RCN vaccine vector.
  • * The patient developed a localized skin lesion (blister) at the exposure site.
  • * The lesion appeared within 9 days and resolved within 4 weeks.

Findings:

  • * Raccoon poxvirus (RCN) was successfully cultured from the patient's lesion.
  • * The patient developed antibodies against both the plague antigen (F1) and the RCN vector.
  • * This case represents the first documented instance of human exposure to RCN.

Implications:

  • * Demonstrates the potential for zoonotic transmission of RCN from animal vaccine vectors to humans.
  • * Highlights the importance of biosafety protocols when working with novel viral vectors.
  • * Provides valuable data on the host response to RCN infection in humans.

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