Cytomegalovirus vaccine

A Cytomegalovirus vaccine is a vaccine to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection or curb virus re-activation (symptomatic flare-ups) in persons already infected. Challenges in developing a vaccine include adeptness of CMV in evading the immune system and limited animal models.[1] As of 2018 no such vaccine exists, although a number of vaccine candidates are under investigation. They include recombinant protein, live attenuated, DNA and other vaccines.[1][2][3]

As a member of the TORCH complex, cytomegalovirus can cause congenital infection, which can lead to neurological problems, vision and hearing loss. Infection/re-activation of CMV in immuno-compromised persons, including organ transplantation recipients, causes significant mortality and morbidity. Additionally, CMV has strong associations with plaques found in atherosclerosis progression.[4] Because of all these, there has been considerable effort made towards the development of a vaccine, with particular emphasis on protection of pregnant women.[5] Since vaccination of the immunocompromised persons introduces additional challenges, members of this population are less likely to be candidates for such a vaccine.[2][6]

Additionally, there are additional health risks for individuals who are already not infected with CMV. For instance, CMV infection is strongly associated with development of Alzheimer's disease.[7]

Development of such a vaccine has been emphasized as a priority by the National Vaccine Program Office in the United States.[8][9]

  1. ^ a b Inoue N, Abe M, Kobayashi R, Yamada S (2018). "Vaccine Development for Cytomegalovirus". Human Herpesviruses. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Vol. 1045. pp. 271–296. doi:10.1007/978-981-10-7230-7_13. ISBN 978-981-10-7229-1. PMID 29896672.
  2. ^ a b Dasari, V.; Smith, C.; Khanna, R. (2013). "Recent advances in designing an effective vaccine to prevent cytomegalovirus-associated clinical diseases". Expert Review of Vaccines. 12 (6): 661–76. doi:10.1586/ERV.13.46. PMID 23750795. S2CID 7062201.
  3. ^ Zhong J, Rist M, Cooper L, Smith C, Khanna R (2008). "Induction of pluripotent protective immunity following immunisation with a chimeric vaccine against human cytomegalovirus". PLOS ONE. 3 (9): e3256. Bibcode:2008PLoSO...3.3256Z. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0003256. PMC 2533118. PMID 18806877.
  4. ^ Hajjar, David P.; Schwartz, Stephen M. (1999-02-22). Role of Herpesviruses in Atherogenesis. CRC Press. ISBN 9789057023217.
  5. ^ Schleiss MR (March 2008). "Comparison of vaccine strategies against congenital CMV infection in the guinea pig model". J. Clin. Virol. 41 (3): 224–30. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2007.10.008. PMID 18060834.
  6. ^ Schleiss MR, Heineman TC (June 2005). "Progress toward an elusive goal: current status of cytomegalovirus vaccines". Expert Rev Vaccines. 4 (3): 381–406. doi:10.1586/14760584.4.3.381. PMID 16026251. S2CID 5100637.
  7. ^ Barnes, Lisa L.; Capuano, Ana W.; Aiello, Alison E.; Turner, Arlener D.; Yolken, Robert H.; Torrey, E. Fuller; Bennett, David A. (2015-01-15). "Cytomegalovirus Infection and Risk of Alzheimer Disease in Older Black and White Individuals". Journal of Infectious Diseases. 211 (2): 230–237. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiu437. ISSN 0022-1899. PMC 4326304. PMID 25108028.
  8. ^ Khanna R, Diamond DJ (January 2006). "Human cytomegalovirus vaccine: time to look for alternative options". Trends Mol Med. 12 (1): 26–33. doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2005.11.006. PMID 16337831.
  9. ^ Arvin AM, Fast P, Myers M, Plotkin S, Rabinovich R (July 2004). "Vaccine development to prevent cytomegalovirus disease: report from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee". Clin. Infect. Dis. 39 (2): 233–9. doi:10.1086/421999. PMID 15307033.