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Non-neurovirulent, genetically stable clone of poliovirus (Sabin type III vaccine strain)

T R Ubertini1, C Cioni, L Perini

  • 1Sclavo Biopharmaceuticals, Siena, Italy.

Vaccine
|December 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

A new poliovirus type III clone (TRU-3) shows reduced neurovirulence compared to the Sabin-3 vaccine. This attenuated strain could significantly decrease vaccine-associated poliomyelitis cases.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Poliovirus type III (Sabin-3) is used in oral polio vaccines.
  • The Sabin-3 strain can cause vaccine-associated poliomyelitis.
  • There is a need for safer polio vaccine strains.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a less neurovirulent poliovirus type III strain.
  • To assess the neurovirulence and genetic stability of the TRU-3 clone.

Main Methods:

  • Derivation of poliovirus type III clone TRU-3 from Sabin-3 using cDNA:RNA hybrid molecular cloning.
  • Assessment of neurovirulence in primates.
  • Serial passage in humans to evaluate neurovirulence changes.
  • Analysis of the viral genome's 5' region sequence.

Main Results:

  • The TRU-3 clone exhibited considerably lower neurovirulence in primates than the Sabin-3 strain.
  • TRU-3 did not increase in neurovirulence after serial passages in humans.
  • TRU-3 maintained the attenuated strain's base sequence in a critical 5' genomic region.

Conclusions:

  • The TRU-3 clone represents a potentially safer alternative to the Sabin-3 vaccine strain.
  • Substituting TRU-3 for Sabin type III in oral polio vaccines could largely eliminate vaccine-associated poliomyelitis.

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