Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Testing Genetic Vaccine against Dengue

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

RIO DE JANEIRO, Mar 3 2003 (IPS) - A DNA vaccine against dengue type 2 was successful in tests using mice in experiments conducted by the Rio-based Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. This is the first step toward finding a weapon against this serious epidemic, but the final product for humans could be 10 years away, says Ada Barcelos Alves, coordinator of the study.

To be effective, the vaccine must immunize the individual against the four types of dengue virus known to exist, she explained.

The process for obtaining the DNA vaccine entails isolated genes from the microorganism that causes the disease and transferring the genetic information that will activate the human organism's immune system. Tests will be conducted using monkeys, and in the final step, humans.