Georgia Pharmacy Team Files Patent for Crimean-Congo Hemorraghic Fever Vaccine

Researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) have successfully discovered a single-dose vaccine strategy that provides complete protection against the Crimean-Congo Hemorraghic Fever (CCHF) virus in mice. 

The good news is this vaccine strategy not only provides complete protection with a single dose but can be handled in the lab without the biosafety risks of using live virus. 

Although it closely mimics the structure of the CCHF virus, the replicon particle has been genetically altered to limit its replication to a single cycle, so that it cannot proliferate and spread. 

This study is good news since there is not a protective vaccine for CCHF and up to 40 percent of cases end in death. 

And, antiviral drugs, such as ribavirin, have not proven effective as a method to treat CCHF. 

This pre-human, scientific study was led by associate professor Scott Pegan, Ph.D. at UGA’s College of Pharmacy department of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

“The success of this replicon particle vaccine marks a fundamental step forward in the CCHF field in the effort to find a viable strategy to combat this disease,” said Dr. Pegan in a press release. 

Previously developed CCHF vaccine approaches have required multiple dosing, which is difficult to provide during a severe outbreak. Up until now, there has been no effective single-dose vaccine to prevent CCHF. 

This study is important since the World Health Organization placed Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever at the top of its vaccine priorities list. 

This tickborne viral disease is found throughout Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Asia and has the potential to emerge in Western Europe as evidenced by 2 recent cases in Spain. 

CCHF is acquired through bites from infected ticks of the genus Hyalomma and is also spread by contact with infected animals, such as goats and sheep, or handling infected animal tissue during slaughter. 

This virus can be spread from human to human in hospitals, placing medical workers at risk. 

Travelers to regions where infected ticks are found may also contract CCHF. 

Not only is CCHF a threat to world health, but it also poses a threat to national defense.

The CCHF virus can be weaponized, and U.S. military forces are exposed to this risk in areas of strategic importance, such as Afghanistan. 

Consequently, the CCHF virus is included in Bioterrorism Category A by the CDC, along with Ebola and the Marburg virus, among other potential bioterrorism agents.

UGA and the CDC have filed a joint patent for the new vaccine. 

This study was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. No conflicts of interest were disclosed.