A vaccine against the dengue virus displayed 100 percent efficacy in human trials conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, published in Science Translation Medicine and covered by Wired.
As part of the trial, 41 volunteers were exposed to a mild form of dengue. Of the group, 21 were given the TV003 vaccine, while 20 others were treated with a placebo. All participants in the placebo group became infected with virus, while the 21 vaccinated patients were completely protected from dengue.
The vaccination was well tolerated and fever was not observed. The solitary adverse event related to the administration of TV003 was a mild, asymptomatic rash on upper extremities and chest. The rash went unnoticed by participants and dissipated after five to 10 days.
Similar to vaccinations for the measles, mumps and influenza, TV003 is a live attenuated vaccine that carries weakened versions of the virus and is designed to combat dengue's four prominent serotypes.
Stephen Whitehead, PhD, of the NIAID, developed the dengue-2 challenge virus used in this trial. According to Wired, Dr. Whitehead said, "The findings from this trial are very encouraging to those of us who have spent many years working on vaccine candidates to protect against dengue, a disease that is a significant burden in much of the world and is now endemic in Puerto Rico."
A modified version of the TV003 vaccine is being developed for the treatment of Zika. The two viruses are related and both are carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The CDC has warned that Puerto Rico is likely to be hit hard by the Zika virus in the coming season.
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