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Vaccines for Venezuelan equine encephalitis
Slobodan Paessler1, Scott C Weaver
1Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, and Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA. slpaessl@utmb.edu
Vaccine
|October 20, 2009
Summary
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) causes encephalitis and requires new vaccines. This review covers vaccine development and protection mechanisms against VEEV infection in animal models.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Arboviruses, including Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), pose significant threats causing encephalitis in humans and animals.
- VEEV re-emergence in South America highlights its public health and veterinary importance.
- Currently, no approved vaccines or antivirals against VEEV are available in the USA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing and novel strategies for developing safe and immunogenic VEEV vaccines.
- To present recent findings on the mechanisms of protection against VEEV infection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of older and newer vaccine development approaches.
- Analysis of recent data on VEEV infection and protection mechanisms in animal models.
Main Results:
- Various vaccine strategies are under investigation, aiming for safety and immunogenicity.
- Understanding protection mechanisms in animal models is crucial for VEEV vaccine development.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for effective VEEV vaccines and antivirals.
- Ongoing research focuses on diverse vaccine platforms and elucidating protective immunity.
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