Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is an acute viral disease caused by the Junín virus (JUNV). Our company is at the forefront of AHF vaccine and therapeutic development, providing cutting-edge services and advancing scientific knowledge to help pharmaceutical companies develop solutions.
Overview of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever
Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), also referred to as O'Higgins disease or locally in Argentina as mal de los rastrojos (stubble disease), is a severe viral illness caused by the Junín virus (JUNV), an arenavirus prevalent in rural regions of Argentina. AHF is characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms, including fever, muscle pain, and hemorrhagic complications, often resulting in notable mortality rates ranging from 15% to 30%. This disease presents a significant public health concern, particularly due to its potential for outbreaks in vulnerable populations, mainly in rural areas where the virus is harbored in rodent reservoirs.
Fig.1 Reactivity and binding mode of the JUNV-specific neutralizing antibody, OD01. (Zeltina A., et al., 2017)
Vaccine Development for Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever
Live Attenuated Vaccines
The most notable vaccine developed for AHF is the live attenuated vaccine known as Candid#1. This vaccine has been shown to elicit robust immune responses capable of protecting against JUNV infection. Candid#1 has undergone extensive clinical trials and is currently utilized in vaccination campaigns to mitigate the risk of outbreaks in endemic regions. The effectiveness of Candid#1 underscores the potential of live attenuated vaccines in controlling not only AHF but also other arenavirus-related diseases.
Inactivated Vaccines
In addition to live attenuated vaccines, there is ongoing research focused on the creation of inactivated vaccines as an alternative approach to confer immunity without the potential risks linked to live pathogens. These inactivated vaccines commonly utilize JUNV particles that have been rendered non-infectious but still possess immunogenic characteristics, eliciting an immune response while ensuring safety upon administration. Such developments are crucial for populations that may be immunocompromised or at higher risk of severe disease.
Therapeutics Development for Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever
Monoclonal Antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic option. The humanized mAb hu199, derived from the chimeric mAb cJ199, has shown high efficacy in both guinea pig and nonhuman primate models of AHF. This mAb targets the JUNV GP1 glycoprotein, disrupting the virus's ability to interact with the host's transferrin receptor (hTfR1), and has the potential to serve as a post-exposure therapeutics.
Antiviral Drugs
Small molecule antiviral drugs, like ribavirin, have been the subject of research to assess their effectiveness against AHF. Although certain studies have indicated a decrease in viral levels and severity of the disease with ribavirin therapeutic, the broader effectiveness of ribavirin in managing AHF remains constrained. Further exploration is essential to fully understand the potential benefits and limitations of ribavirin in AHF therapeutics.
Our Services
Our team of experts provides end-to-end support for vaccine development, from the design and production of vaccine candidates to the execution of preclinical trials. In addition, based on our in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of AHF, we provide you with innovative AHF therapy development services.
- Guinea Pig Models
- Interferon Alpha/beta Receptor (IFNAR) Knockout Mouse Models
- STAT1Knockout Mouse Models
Route of infections: intraperitoneal (IP), intramuscular (IM), or subcutaneous (SC)
Preclinical research is a cornerstone of our development services, providing the necessary data to support the advancement of vaccines and therapies into clinical trials. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Zeltina, Antra, et al. "Convergent immunological solutions to Argentine hemorrhagic fever virus neutralization." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 114.27 (2017): 7031-7036.
- Manning, John T., et al. "Absence of an n-linked glycosylation motif in the glycoprotein of the live-attenuated argentine hemorrhagic fever vaccine, candid# 1, results in its improper processing, and reduced surface expression." Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology 7 (2017): 20.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
