Safety, immunogenicity and protection of A(H3N2) live attenuated influenza vaccines containing wild-type nucleoprotein in a ferret model.

In this study, a panel of H3N2 LAIV candidates with wild-type NP genes derived from circulating viruses were generated by reverse genetics (5:3 genome composition). These viruses displayed the cold adaptation and temperature sensitivity phenotypes of MDV Len/17 in vitro. LAIVs with both 6:2 and 5:3 genome compositions were attenuated and replicated to a similar extent in the upper respiratory tract of ferrets. LAIVs were immunogenic as high neutralizing and hemagglutination inhibition serum antibody titers were detected 21 days after infection. All vaccinated animals were protected against infection with heterologous H3N2 influenza A viruses. Thus, LAIV with a 5:3 genome composition is safe, immunogenic and can induce cross-protective immunity. PMID: 29929009 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Infection, Genetics and Evolution - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Infect Genet Evol Source Type: research