Health
Queensland researchers are developing an vaccine against cytomegalovirus
Researchers in Queensland have developed an vaccine against a “troublesome” virus that can cause severe disability and sometimes even death in the fetus.
Key Point:
- Scientists hope to conduct human testing of vaccines by 2024
- If the vaccine is successful, adolescents will be the first target population
- CMV can be very harmful to the fetus if the mother contracts it
The vaccine, announced by the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute as a breakthrough, is designed to protect against cytomegalovirus (CMV). Cytomegalovirus can cause a baby to develop deafness, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and other severe disorders in utero.
Scientist Rajiv Kanna has been working on vaccines for 15 years.
He hopes to conduct clinical trials in humans by 2024 and is discussing with potential industry partners to advance vaccines.
Professor Kanna said the vaccine launched a two-sided immune system attack on the virus and worked by deploying both antibodies and killer T cells.
“The main reason vaccines don’t work against CMV is that most of the previous vaccine formulations … tried to control the virus with antibodies alone,” he said.
“We have found that antibodies alone are not enough. These viruses are very cleverly hidden inside the cells. Killer T cells are needed to kill the viruses inside the cells.
Professor Kanna said the vaccine produced a strong and sustained immune response in mouse trials.
“The lifespan of the immune response is very important,” he said.
The most dangerous virus for the fetus
If the vaccine is successful, adolescents will be the first target population, but it can also benefit people throughout their lives.
“If you don’t have existing immunity to the virus and you are exposed during pregnancy … there is a one-third chance that the virus will infect your baby through the placenta,” says Professor Khana.
“But if you really have immunity, your chances are one-hundredth and even lower.”
The virus can also cause serious problems in organ transplant patients and has been implicated in some brain tumors.
CMV is a herpesvirus that is carried by an estimated 50% of the population. Most people do not develop symptoms and only a few experience illnesses such as glandular fever.
However, if a woman becomes infected with the virus during pregnancy, it can endanger the fetus.
“Infecting the fetus can be quite annoying,” said Professor Kanna.
Brisbane’s mother, Miffward, hadn’t heard of CMV until she learned that her daughter, Azaria, who was born with permanent deafness, was infected during pregnancy.
“It was a really difficult and emotional time for us,” Ward said.
“It’s amazing that there is little awareness of these common viruses that can cause great damage to the fetus.
“I’m really excited to know that a vaccine may come … I’m lucky that the effects of CMV weren’t that serious, given what could happen.”
CMV is most commonly spread through saliva and other body fluids.
Pregnant women are encouraged to take strict hygiene, especially when changing diapers, wiping their children’s noses, or touching their urine.
Do not share your toothbrush with your child or avoid contact with saliva when kissing your child.
Professor Kanna said that even if the CMV vaccine is successful, it will actually undergo years of human testing before it is released to the public.
He said Queensland has the ability to produce vaccines.
Post , Has been updated
Sources 2/ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-23/cmv-cytomegalovirus-vaccine-development-pregnant-women-qimr/101175360 The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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