Protection against Japanese encephalitis virus strains representing four genotypes by passive transfer of sera raised against ChimeriVax™-JE experimental vaccine

The ability of antiscra raised against a candidate Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccine, ChimeriVax(TM)-JE, and the currently licensed vaccine, JE-VAX(R), to protect against strains of JEV representing the four major genotypes was assessed. Neutralization assays and passive protection studies in mice showed that greatest protection was provided against strains of genotypes II and III, although some protection was also afforded against genotypes I and IV strains. Chimerivax(TM)-JE stimulated protection that was comparable or superior to the JE-VAX(R) control. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.