Safety and immunogenicity of the Towne strain cytomegalovirus vaccine.
BACKGROUND
Women with naturally acquired serum antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) are usually protected against both frequent secondary infection and giving birth to infants severely affected by intrauterine CMV infection.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of using a live attenuated strain of CMV (Towne) to achieve immunity similar to that provided by wild-type infection, we evaluated a new lot of the Towne strain of CMV in 3 open label trials involving 68 men, 63 women of childbearing age and 13 children, respectively.


RESULTS
Mild local reactions occurred among approximately one-third of subjects. There were no systemic reactions. All 45 subjects tested developed lymphoproliferative responses to CMV. CD8+ class I-restricted cytotoxic T cell responses specific for CMV antigens were detected in three of four subjects and persisted for 6 months. Neutralizing titers were maximal at 2 to 4 months postimmunization, were dose-dependent and were comparable to those induced by natural infection.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support further evaluation of the Towne strain of CMV in women at risk for acquiring CMV infection during pregnancy or among children transmitting CMV to pregnant women.
Adler
S P
SP
Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0163, USA. SADLER@GEMS.VCU.EDU
Hempfling
S H
SH
Starr
S E
SE
Plotkin
S A
SA
Riddell
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000276:immunology*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated; D014765:Viral Vaccines