Dengue-2 vaccine: preparation from a small-plaque virus clone

The S-1 clone of dengue type 2 virus was used for the preparation of a live-attenuated vaccine after passage in DBS-FRhL-2 cell culture. The vaccine virus had a relatively higher replicative capacity at superoptimal temperatures than its precursor virus, S-1, passaged in primary green monkey kidney cells (S-1 PGMK). There was also a tendency for the S-1 vaccine virus to exhibit leakiness at increased temperatures. Another in vitro marker, replication in monkey peripheral blood leukocytes, indicated less host restriction for the S-1 vaccine in comparative assays with S-1 PGMK virus. Mouse virulence appeared to remain stable on passage in DBS-FRhL-2 cells, whereas monkey immunogenicity decreased. Cautious trials of the dengue type 2 S-1 vaccine in humans are indicated.