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Review
. 2011 Jan;10(1):63-77.
doi: 10.1586/erv.10.152.

Progress in filovirus vaccine development: evaluating the potential for clinical use

Darryl Falzarano  1 , Thomas W Geisbert, Heinz Feldmann
Affiliations
Review

Progress in filovirus vaccine development: evaluating the potential for clinical use

Darryl Falzarano et al. Expert Rev Vaccines. 2011 Jan.

Abstract

Marburg and Ebola viruses cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates. Currently, there are no effective treatments and no licensed vaccines; although a number of vaccine platforms have proven successful in animal models. The ideal filovirus vaccine candidate should be able to provide rapid protection following a single immunization, have the potential to work postexposure and be cross-reactive or multivalent against all Marburg virus strains and all relevant Ebola virus species and strains. Currently, there are multiple platforms that have provided prophylactic protection in nonhuman primates, including DNA, recombinant adenovirus serotype 5, recombinant human parainfluenza virus 3 and virus-like particles. In addition, a single platform, recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus, has demonstrated both prophylactic and postexposure protection in nonhuman primates. These results demonstrate that achieving a vaccine that is protective against filoviruses is possible; the challenge now is to prove its safety and efficacy in order to obtain a vaccine that is ready for human use.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Map of filovirus occurrences worldwide
Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV): red; Sudan ebolavirus (SEBOV): blue; Cote d’Ivoire ebolavirus (CIEBOV): purple; Reston ebolavirus (REBOV): green; Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BEBOV): yellow; Lake Victoria marburgvirus (MARV): black. The inset shows an enlarged view of equatorial Africa where the majority of filovirus infections occur.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Transmission of filoviruses
The proposed reservoirs for both Ebola and Marburg viruses are a number of species of African fruit bats. Multiple outbreaks have been associated with locations where contact with or the consumption of bats has occurred. Contact with infected nonhuman primates, typically as bush meat, has also been a suspected source of infection. While the mechanism of transmission from bats to humans and nonhuman primates is not known, transmission from nonhuman primates to humans is likely through contact with blood and tissues during butchering or from bites and scratches. Transmission between humans probably occurs via direct contact with blood or secretions; however, there is limited evidence of aerosol transmission. In the event of an act of bioterrorism the most likely route of infection would be by the aerosol route.
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