Autor(es): Rezza Giovanni

Resumo: During the last decade, the chikungunya (CHIKV) virus has exp-ed its range of activity, conquering new territories - becoming an important global health threat. In particular, the challenge represented by the recent emergence of CHIKV in the Americas has strengthened the need of a safe - effective vaccine. Although research on vaccines against CHIKV has been slow, a few vaccine c-idates have been tested over the years. Inactivated - attenuated vaccine c-idates have shown promising results in phase I/II trials, - engineered vaccines have proven to be safe - immunogenic in mouse -/or non-human primate models. Recently, a vaccine based on virus-like particles (VLP) has been successfully tested in a phase I trial. However, large phase I/II controlled trials, which are needed in order to provide evidence of vaccine efficacy, may be planned only under certain conditions. First, they should be conducted during epidemic periods, when a large number of cases occur, in order to ensure an adequate study power. Second, they are expensive - investments returns are not always guaranteed. To overcome this problem, public/private partnership - government support, the identification of target population groups for vaccination - the commitment of donor agencies are key factors for supporting both the development - the availability of vaccines against neglected tropical diseases like chikungunya.

Palavras-Chave: Chikungunya virus; R&D; Vaccine

Imprenta: Pathogens and Global Health, v. 109, n. 4, p. 170-173, 2015

Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1179/2047773215Y.0000000017

Descritores: Chikungunya virus - Viral infections ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Vaccine ; Chikungunya virus - Epidemic ; Chikungunya virus - Public health

Data de publicação: 2015