Varicella Zoster Virus Vaccines

Creative Biolabs is a world leader in the field of viral vaccine development. With our extensive experience and advanced platform, we are therefore confident in offering the best vaccine development services for Varicella Zoster Virus. We guarantee the finest results for our customers all over the world.

Varicella Zoster Virus is a worldwide pathogen known by many names: Chickenpox Virus, Varicella Virus, Zoster Virus, and Human Herpesvirus Type 3 (HHV-3), which is one of eight herpesviruses known to infect humans. It can cause chickenpox (varicella), a disease most commonly affecting children, teenagers, and young adults; herpes zoster (shingles) in older adults, but is rare in children. VZV infections are species-specific to humans but can survive in external environments for a few hours, maybe a day or two. VZV multiplies in the lungs and causes a wide variety of symptoms. After the primary infection (chickenpox), the virus goes dormant in the nerves, including the cranial nerve ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, and autonomic ganglia. Many years after the patient has recovered from chickenpox, VZV can reactivate to cause neurologic conditions.

Pathogenesis for VZV Infection

The skin lesions are certainly teeming with infectious virus, even at the maculopapular stage. Airborne transmission from skin lesions is therefore highly likely, especially since VZV DNA is readily detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the air surrounding patients with VZV infection. It is virtually impossible to isolate infectious virus at any stage from the upper respiratory tract of cases of varicella, although viral DNA may be detectable by PCR. Nevertheless, it is widely believed that transmission occurs from this site, probably from asymptomatic oral lesions which are present before the skin eruption appears. Whatever the case, VZV undoubtedly is transmissible via an airborne route and does not require close personal contact. The clinical attack rate of varicella in outbreaks is typically in the range 70–90% of susceptible individuals, which is slightly less than other viruses transmitted via the respiratory route.

Fig.1 The symptoms of Varicella Zoster Virus infection.

Host Response to VZV Infection

Following infection with VZV, antibodies are produced to the various structural and non-structural proteins of VZV. The predominant immunogenic components of the virus appear to be the glycoproteins, the major capsid protein, and the assembly protein complex. Both IgG and IgM antibodies react with these proteins. Typically, sera from cases of zoster react more strongly and reveal a wider range of proteins compared to varicella. gE, gH, and the tegument protein IE62 are the major targets for the cell-mediated immune response against VZV, although T lymphocyte responses are also measured against epitopes in gL, gB and gC, as well as the transcriptional regulator IE63, and the products of ORF4, ORF10, and ORF29 genes. Although specific antibody against VZV may protect against or attenuate infection, control of primary infection and clearance of virus appears to depend on cellular immunity.

The Development of VZV Vaccine

The previous study showed that vaccination with a high dose of live-attenuated VZV vaccine reduces VZ incidence by 51% in adults aged ≥60 years and by 38% in adults aged ≥70 years. The vaccine efficacy against VZ was 70% in persons aged 50–59 years. In post-licensure studies, vaccination reduced the risk of VZ by 51% in adults aged ≥60 years, 48% in immunocompetent adults aged ≥65 years, and 37% in immunocompromised adults aged ≥65 years. Thus, live-attenuated VZV vaccine has a modest efficacy against VZ that diminishes with age. Recombinant subunit vaccines are an alternative approach for VZ prevention, especially for older adults for whom efficacy of live-attenuated vaccines is limited and for immunocompromised persons for whom live-attenuated vaccines are contraindicated. One possible antigen is glycoprotein E (gE) because it is the most abundant glycoprotein on the surface of VZV virions and VZV-infected cells. It is essential for viral replication and cell-to-cell transmission, which contributes to viral spread and pathogenesis of skin infection. Furthermore, gE is a major target of anti-VZV cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. However, an adjuvant may be necessary to elicit sufficient immune responses in humans.

Creative Biolabs is pleased to share our cutting-edge technology and extensive expertise in the field of Varicella Zoster Virus vaccine development and has focused on the viral vaccines for years. We can offer high-quality customized services by adjusting protocols to meet even the most specific requirements. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more details.

All of our products can only be used for research purposes. These vaccine ingredients CANNOT be used directly on humans or animals.