Immunogenicity and effiacy trials of a DNA/MVA vaccine against canine leishmaniasis

Immunogenicity and effiacy trials of a DNA/MVA vaccine against canine leishmaniasis

Jenefer Blackwell (Project Leader), *Orin Courtenay (Project Leader), *Maria Antoniou, *Diane McMahon-Pratt, Christopher peacock, *mary Wilson
(* International Partners)

Studies in the Cambridge lab identified prime/boost vaccination with DNA/Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) using the leishmanial antigen tryparedoxin peroxidase (TRyP) as the most protective vaccine producing long term immunity in mice.

During 2009 papers were published that address the first major aim of this study which was to conduct safety (Phase I) and immunogenicity (Phase IIa) trials of a DNA/ MVA TRYP Leishmania vaccine in kenneled dogs. 

Funding proposals are under consideration to conduct a community-based Phase IIb/III field trial to reduce canine zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis infection, disease and infectiousness in a genetically diverse population of dogs exposed to natural infection with l. infantum on Crete.

Phase iii outcomes include clinical disease, parasite load as a marker of infectiousness to sand flies, and immunological correlates of these end points (in vitro cytokine  stimulation assays, serology, and tissue cytokine mRNA expression).

Analysis will show differences in the incidence of infection and clinical disease between fully blinded and randomized vaccine and control groups, and related to measured immunological responses.

A successful canine vaccine will protect dogs against Leishmania infection and/or disease, and reduce or eliminate infectiousness of the reservoir host, thereby reducing or preventing transmission to humans.

Funders of the project: Pfizer  Inc.