A Single-Dose Bundibugyo Virus Vaccine Protects Macaques Within 3 Days

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) causes severe hemorrhagic fever with high fatality rates.
• No approved medical countermeasures exist for BDBV, hindering outbreak response.
• Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based vaccines show promise against filoviruses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the rapid protective efficacy of a single-dose VSV-BDBV vaccine in nonhuman primates (NHPs).
• To define the immune responses elicited by VSV-BDBV vaccination against BDBV challenge.

Main Methods:

• Nonhuman primates were vaccinated with a single dose of VSV-BDBV.
• Vaccinated NHPs were challenged with BDBV.
• Immune responses, clinical signs, and viral load were monitored.

Main Results:

• Single-dose VSV-BDBV vaccination conferred complete protection from clinical disease within 3 days.
• Vaccinated NHPs showed minimal clinical signs, reduced inflammation, and no detectable infectious virus.
• Protection correlated with neutralizing antibodies and Fc effector functions.

Conclusions:

• VSV-BDBV is a promising fast-acting vaccine candidate for BDBV outbreak response.
• The vaccine elicits rapid innate and adaptive immune responses for swift protection.
• Understanding immune mechanisms is crucial for rapid protection against filoviruses.