Immunoprotection elicited by an enterovirus type 71 experimental inactivated vaccine in mice and rhesus monkeys

A number of commonly recognized public health issues are associated with EV71 infection, including the induction of severe cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD). Because of such issues, research and development of EV71 vaccine candidates is of growing importance. In the present study, an experimental EV71 inactivated vaccine was prepared, and its corresponding immunogenicity was analyzed. The immune responses and immunoprotective effect induced by the vaccine in mice and rhesus monkeys are described, and the two animal models are compared to evaluate the potential of assessing the inactivated vaccine's immunogenicity in these two species. In addition to assessing the vaccine's efficacy in mice, our data further elucidate the significance and value of assessing the immunogenicity and immunoprotection of vaccine candidates in rhesus monkeys by relying on a range of analyses, including pathological, etiological and lethal challenge analyses. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.