Scientists are working on a promising experimental vaccine against Marburg virus, for which there is no licensed preventive vaccine.
Since its discovery in 1967, Marburg virus has caused over a dozen documented sporadic outbreaks in Africa, with the most recent in Equatorial Guinea and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The VSV-MARV vaccine is based on the same concept as ERVEBO, an FDA-approved vaccine against Ebola virus.
In a new study published in Emerging Microbes and Infections, scientists from NIAID’s Laboratory of Virology determined in cynomolgus macaques that a low dose given two weeks before virus exposure provided robust protection; vaccination one week prior to virus exposure provided limited protection.
Previously the group had determined that high doses of the vaccine were effective. With portions of Africa experiencing multiple Marburg virus outbreaks in 2023, the scientists encourage clinical evaluation of the low-dose VSV-MARV vaccine in preparation for upcoming outbreaks.
Transcriptional profiling of immune responses in NHPs after low-dose, VSV-based vaccination against Marburg virus. Emerging Microbes & Infections, 24 Aug 2023.