A DNA-based Zika vaccine manufactured by Inovio Pharmacueticals successfully protected the reproductive tract of male mice from the virus, according to a study published in the journal Nature Communications.
For the study, mice were administered the vaccine twice at two-week intervals. At two weeks after the final immunization, researchers injected the mice with the Zika virus. The vaccine completely protected the sperm and testes of mice from the virus.
"Given that we know that Zika virus infection can involve the male reproductive tract and persist in humans for several months after onset of infection, this preclinical data warrants further examination as a potential means to reduce Zika virus infection of the male reproductive tract and the risk of sexual transmission of the virus," said Gary Kobinger, PhD, lead author of the study and Director of the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases at Laval University in Quebec City, Canada.
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