Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Infection

Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) is a significant viral disease caused by the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). Our comprehensive services in VEEV vaccine and therapeutics development encompass the full spectrum of research and development activities.

Overview of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Infection

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an alphavirus belonging to the Togaviridae family, primarily transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The virus is notorious for causing febrile illness and can progress to severe neurological complications, including encephalitis. VEEV is endemic in parts of Central and South America, with occasional outbreaks that can lead to significant morbidity in equines and humans alike. Infection typically begins with an incubation period of 1-5 days, followed by symptoms such as fever, headache, and gastrointestinal disturbances. In severe cases, patients may experience convulsions, behavioral changes, and alterations in consciousness, with neurological complications appearing in up to 14% of those infected.

Fig.1 Transmission of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). (Sharma A., et al., 2019)

Vaccine Development for Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Infection

• Live-Attenuated Vaccines
  Live-attenuated vaccines have been pivotal in the fight against VEE. These vaccines utilize a weakened form of the virus that cannot cause disease but is sufficient to stimulate an immune response.
• Inactivated Vaccines
  Inactivated vaccines, while showing promise, face challenges in achieving long-lasting immunity. These vaccines require additional adjuvants to enhance their immunogenicity.
• Recombinant Vaccines
  Recombinant technology has opened new avenues in VEEV vaccine development. By focusing on specific viral proteins, these vaccines can elicit a targeted immune response.
• DNA Vaccines
  DNA vaccines represent a cutting-edge approach, where the vaccine contains genetic material encoding key antigens of VEEV. Upon administration, the host's cells produce the antigen, stimulating an immune response. This method bypasses the need for live viruses, reducing the risk of reversion to virulence.

Table 1 VEEV vaccine candidates. (Sharma A., et al., 2019)

Therapeutics Development for Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Infection

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Therapies targeting the inflammatory response post-infection have shown promise in managing VEEV. Celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, has demonstrated significant reduction in viral titers and inflammation in vitro. This approach could be pivotal in mitigating the neurological damage often associated with VEEV.

Direct Antiviral Therapies

Direct antiviral drugs (DAAs) are under investigation for their potential to interfere with viral replication. These compounds target specific enzymes or viral life cycle stages, offering a precise therapeutic intervention.

Immunomodulatory Therapies

Strategies that modulate the host's immune response are also being explored. By fine-tuning the immune system's reaction to VEEV, these therapies aim to reduce the severity of the disease while enhancing viral clearance.

Our Services

The realm of creating potent vaccines and therapeutics for Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus infection is a constantly evolving landscape. Our company provides a specialized range of services finely tuned for the advancement of vaccines and therapeutics targeting VEEV. With a proficient team of specialists, we are well-prepared to guide projects from inception through the stages of preclinical research with expertise and precision.

Vaccine Development

• Live-attenuated Vaccine
• Inactivated Vaccine
• Toxoid Vaccine
• Viral Vector Vaccine
• Virus-like Particles Vaccine
• Protein Subunit Vaccine
• mRNA Vaccine
• DNA Vaccine

Therapeutic Development

• Small Molecule Drug Development Services
• Therapeutic mRNA Development Services
• Therapeutic Antibody Development Services
• Cell Therapy Development Services

Disease Models

• VEEV Aerosol Infection BALB/c Mouse Models
• VEEV Intranasal Challenge C3H/HeN Mouse Models
• VEEV Infection in Non-human Primates (NHPs) Models

Within our preclinical research realm, we boast a diverse range of capabilities, including:

• Molecular Biology: Gene cloning, expression, and analysis of viral proteins.
• Immunology: Assessment of immune responses to candidate vaccines and therapies.
• Virology: Isolation and characterization of VEEV strains for research purposes.
• Pharmacology: Evaluation of drug efficacy and safety in relevant models.

If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.