DNA vaccines, in which genetic material delivered to the cell spawns an immune response, prove effective against rabies and rotavirus in animal tests.

References:

Chen, S.C. . . . J.E. Herrmann. 1998. Protective immunity induced by oral immunization with a rotavirus DNA vaccine encapsulated in microparticles. Journal of Virology 72(July):5757.

Lodmell, D.L. . . . C.E. Rupprecht. 1998. DNA immunization protects nonhuman primates against rabies virus. Nature Medicine(August):949.

Debbie, J.G., and C.V. Trimarchi. 1997. Prophylaxis for suspected exposure to bat rabies. Lancet 350(Dec. 20):1790.

Fackelmann, K.A. 1997. Vaccine shields chimps from HIV. Science News 151(May 17):309.

Fishbein, D.B., and L.E. Robinson. 1993. Rabies. New England Journal of Medicine 329(Nov. 25):1632.

Sternberg, S. 1997. Hidden worlds collide. Science News 151(Feb. 8):94.

Travis, J. 1996. Swallowing shigella. Science News 149(May 11):302.

Sources:

Bruce G. Gellin
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department of Preventive Medicine
A1124 MCN
Nashville, TN 37232-2637

John E. Herrmann
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology
55 Lake Avenue, North
Worcester, MA 01655
E-mail: John.E.Herrmann@banyan.ummed.edu

Donald L. Lodmell
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Rocky Mountain Laboratories
Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases
Hamilton, MT 59840
Harriet L. Robinson
Emory University

Yerkes Primate Research Center
924 Gatewood N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30329

Charles E. Rupprecht
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Infectious Diseases
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases
Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch
Rabies Section
Atlanta, GA 30333