Yale Bulletin and Calendar

November 2, 2001

Volume 30, Number 9

Scientists develop potential
vaccine for West Nile virus

Yale scientists have successfully immunized mice against West Nile virus, raising the possibility of developing a vaccine for humans against the potentially fatal, mosquito-borne infection.

Although there have been only about 10 virus-related deaths reported to date in the United States, West Nile virus is considered an emerging disease, according to Dr. Erol Fikrig, associate professor in the School of Medicine's Departments of Internal Medicine and of Epidemiology and Public Health, who directed the study.

"Its seriousness as a public health threat is not fully known yet," he says. "That should become apparent over the next two to three years. If the vaccine proves necessary, its development will be valuable."

Results of the study were published online in the Journal of Immunology on Oct. 23 and appears in the Nov. 1 print edition.

West Nile virus was first identified in Uganda in 1937 and has since infected people in many other parts of the world. It was seen for the first time in humans in the United States in the New York City area in 1999. Sporadic cases have since appeared around the Northeast and in the South and Midwest. The virus, which infects birds as well as humans, spreads through mosquito bites primarily in warm weather months.

There is currently no cure for West Nile virus, although infection does not generally cause serious consequences. Elderly patients, however, can develop fatal encephalitis, a central nervous system infection.

Fikrig and Tian Wang, a postdoctoral fellow in his laboratory, along with other Yale colleagues worked with John F. Anderson and associates from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven to isolate the virus found in an infected bird. They genetically engineered a protein in the virus, which they then injected into uninfected mice. Immunization with the vaccine provided complete protection for the animals against West Nile virus.

Diagnosis of West Nile virus can be difficult using current methods. The protein used to make the vaccine could also potentially be employed to develop a diagnostic test.

Other participants in the study included Louis A. Magnarelli of the Conecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Susan J. Wong of the New York State Department of Health, and Raymond A. Koski of L2 Diagnostics, Inc.

-- By Marc Wortman

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Yale formally dedicates Environmental Science Center

Team discovers fossil of 40-foot crocodile

Scientists develop otential vaccine for West Nile virus

Journalist considers gap between 'red' and 'blue' America

Michael Dove is appointed Musser Professor of Social Ecology

Thomas Graedel named Musser Professor of Industrial Ecology

Yale Art Gallery receives gift of major work by Courbet

U.S. Senator James Jeffords to give talk

Noted journalist James Fallows to present annual Fryer Lecture

Estrogen therapy ineffective in preventing stroke, study finds

Noted statistician Francis J. Anscombe dies

Influential physician Dr. Alvan Feinstein dies

Symposium to explore Palestinian and Israeli cinemas

Yale affiliates invited to serve as Thanksgiving hosts

Campus Notes