A DNA-based vaccine protects against Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus disease in a Cynomolgus macaque model.

Nature microbiology 2021 Feb

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There is currently no specific prophylaxis or vaccine against Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe febrile illness transmitted by Hyalomma ticks in endemic areas, handling of infected livestock or care of infected patients. We report here the successful protection against CCHFV-mediated disease in a non-human primate disease model. Cynomolgus macaques were vaccinated with a DNA-based vaccine using in vivo electroporation-assisted delivery. The vaccine contained two plasmids encoding the glycoprotein precursor (GPC) and the nucleoprotein (NP) of CCHFV. Animals received three vaccinations and we recorded potent antibody and T cell responses after vaccination. While all sham-vaccinated animals developed viraemia, high tissue viral loads and CCHF-induced disease, the NP + GPC vaccinated animals were significantly protected. In conclusion, this is evidence of a vaccine that can protect against CCHFV-induced disease in a non-human primate model. This supports clinical development of the vaccine to protect groups at risk for contracting the infection.

Citation

David W Hawman, Gustaf Ahlén, K Sofia Appelberg, Kimberly Meade-White, Patrick W Hanley, Dana Scott, Vanessa Monteil, Stephanie Devignot, Atsushi Okumura, Friedemann Weber, Heinz Feldmann, Matti Sällberg, Ali Mirazimi. A DNA-based vaccine protects against Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus disease in a Cynomolgus macaque model. Nature microbiology. 2021 Feb;6(2):187-195