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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » ABADRU » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #329718
Title: A recombinant Rift Valley fever virus glycoprotein subunit vaccine confers full protection against Rift Valley fever challenge in sheep

Author
item FABURAY, BONTO - Kansas State University
item Wilson, William - Bill
item GAUDREAULT, NATASHA - Kansas State University
item DAVIS, A. SALLY - Kansas State University
item SHIVANNA, VINAY - Kansas State University
item BAWA, BHUPINDER - Kansas State University
item SUNWOO, SUN YOUNG - Kansas State University
item MA, WENJUN - Kansas State University
item Drolet, Barbara
item MOROZOV, IGOR - Kansas State University
item McVey, David
item RICHT, JUERGEN - Kansas State University

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/2016
Publication Date: 6/14/2016
Citation: Faburay, B., Wilson, W.C., Gaudreault, N.N., Davis, A., Shivanna, V., Bawa, B., Sunwoo, S., Ma, W., Drolet, B.S., Morozov, I., McVey, D.S., Richt, J.A. 2016. A recombinant Rift Valley fever virus glycoprotein subunit vaccine confers full protection against Rift Valley fever challenge in sheep. Scientific Reports. 6(27719):1-12. doi:10.1038/srep27719.

Interpretive Summary: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne viral disease found in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula that similar to West Nile virus could be introduced into the United States. The virus has great potential for spread across borders due to the presence of competent vectors in non-endemic areas. There is currently no fully licensed vaccine suitable for use in livestock or humans outside endemic areas. Here we report the evaluation of a recombinant subunit vaccine that was effective in protecting sheep from infection and was DIVA (differentiating naturally infected from vaccinated animals) compatible. We conclude that the subunit vaccine platform represents a promising strategy for the prevention and control of RVFV infections in susceptible hosts.

Technical Abstract: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic pathogen causing disease outbreaks in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The virus has great potential for transboundary spread due to the presence of competent vectors in non-endemic areas. There is currently no fully licensed vaccine suitable for use in livestock or humans outside endemic areas. Here we report the evaluation of the efficacy of a recombinant subunit vaccine based on the RVFV Gn and Gc glycoproteins. In a previous study, the vaccine elicited strong virus neutralizing antibody responses in sheep and was DIVA (differentiating naturally infected from vaccinated animals) compatible. In the current efficacy study, a group of sheep (n = 5) was vaccinated subcutaneously with the glycoprotein-based subunit vaccine candidate and then subjected to heterologous challenge with the virulent Kenya-128B-15 RVFV strain. The vaccine elicited high virus neutralizing antibody titers and conferred complete protection in all vaccinated sheep, as evidenced by prevention of viremia, fever and absence of RVFV-associated histopathological lesions. We 4conclude that the subunit vaccine platform represents a promising strategy for the prevention and control of RVFV infections in susceptible hosts.