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PORTLAND, OR – A new study conducted by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Weill Cornell Medicine has revealed that current vaccine targets for preventing congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission may be insufficient, prompting a call for the exploration of alternative strategies.
The research, published in Science Translational Medicine, focuses on CMV, a common virus that poses a significant risk to developing fetuses. While most adults infected with CMV experience no symptoms, infection during pregnancy can lead to serious health complications in newborns, including hearing loss, developmental delays, and neurological impairment.
The study challenges the widely held belief that targeting the CMV pentameric complex, a combination of viral proteins, is crucial for preventing the virus from crossing the placenta and infecting the fetus. Researchers found that even when this complex was absent, the virus could still be transmitted and cause harm in non-human primate models.
“We hope that our work can pave the way for the selection of more promising vaccine targets, which we will test in future studies,” said Daniel Malouli, Ph.D., assistant professor at the OHSU Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and senior author of the study. “Ultimately, we hope our research leads to an effective vaccine that can be made widely available.”
CMV is the leading infectious cause of neurodevelopmental impairments worldwide, affecting approximately 1 in 200 babies born in the United States. Despite decades of research, an effective vaccine has remained elusive.
The study, a collaborative effort involving researchers from across the U.S., suggests that other CMV proteins may need to be included in future vaccine designs to provide more robust protection against cross-placental transmission.
“As a pediatric health care provider, I am passionate about giving children the best possible start to a full and healthy life, so it’s heartbreaking to see a child undergo this infection and face devastating and potentially life-long complications,” said Sallie Permar, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the department of pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-corresponding author. “These findings are exciting because they bring us one step closer to the development of an effective vaccine, which we hope can protect pregnant women and babies around the world.”
Researchers plan to continue their work, leveraging existing models to identify new and more effective vaccine targets.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided in the given study and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns. Research findings are subject to change and further investigation.
