title: Status of vaccine research and development of vaccines for herpes simplex virus.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and -2 (HSV-2) are highly prevalent global pathogens which commonly cause recurrent oral and genital ulcerations. Less common but more serious complications include meningitis, encephalitis, neonatal infection, and keratitis. HSV-2 infection is a significant driver of the HIV epidemic, increasing the risk of HIV acquisition 3 fold. As current control strategies for genital HSV-2 infection, including antiviral therapy and condom use, are only partially effective, vaccines will be required to reduce infection. Both preventive and therapeutic vaccines for HSV-2 are being pursued and are in various stages of development. We will provide an overview of efforts to develop HSV-2 vaccines, including a discussion of the clinical need for an HSV vaccine, and status of research and development with an emphasis on recent insights from trials of vaccine candidates in clinical testing. In addition, we will touch upon aspects of HSV vaccine development relevant to low and middle income countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: cjohnsto@u.washington.edu.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sami L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle, WA, USA; Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wald
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022301:Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D022301:Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccines
keywords: Genital herpes; Herpes simplex virus; Vaccine