Perspectives on New Vaccines against Arboviruses Using Insect-Specific Viruses as Platforms

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are global pathogens circulating endemically with local explosive outbreaks and constant encroachment into new locations. Few vaccines against arboviruses exist; most for humans are in development or clinical trials. Insect-specific viruses (ISVs) offer a unique platform for expression of arbovirus proteins, through the creation of ISV/arbovirus chimeras. Studies have shown promising results of these vaccines with several advantages over their wild-type counterparts. In this review, we discuss the current status of these potential vaccines using ISVs.

Automated summary

Arthropod-borne viruses are global pathogens that circulate endemically with local explosive outbreaks and constant encroachment into new locations. Few vaccines against these viruses exist, but promising results have been shown with insect-specific virus vaccines, offering a new approach for future arbovirus vaccine research.