Cross-protective and infection-enhancing immunity in mice vaccinated against flaviviruses belonging to the Japanese encephalitis virus serocomplex.
The Japanese encephalitis virus serocomplex is a group of mosquito-borne flaviviruses that cause severe encephalitic disease in humans. The recent emergence of several members of this serocomplex in geographic regions where other closely related flaviviruses are endemic has raised urgent human health issues. Thus, the impact of vaccination against one of these neurotropic virus on the outcome of infection with a second, serologically related virus is unknown. We show here that immunity against Murray Valley encephalitis virus in vaccinated mice can cross-protect but also augment disease severity following challenge with Japanese encephalitis virus. Immunepotentiation of heterologous flavivirus disease was apparent in animals immunized with a 'killed' virus preparation when humoral antiviral immunity of low magnitude was elicited.
Lobigs
Mario
M
Division of Immunology and Cell Biology, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, P.O. Box 334, ACT 2601, Canberra, Australia. mario.lobigs@anu.edu.au
Pavy
Megan
M
Hall
Roy
R
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D004664:Encephalitis Virus, Japanese / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D004672:Encephalitis, Japanese / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000276:immunology; D022321:Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012307:Risk Factors; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D022321:Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic