May 29th 2024.
In the year 2022, a deadly strain of Japanese encephalitis virus spread through Australia, causing the unfortunate deaths of seven individuals. In response to this outbreak, scientists have urgently called for the development of a new vaccine to combat this dangerous mosquito-borne virus.
After two years of dedicated research, a team at QIMR Berghofer has completed a comprehensive study of the virus sub-type responsible for the outbreak in Australia. The study highlighted the strain's ability to cause fatal brain infections and provided valuable insights for the development of effective vaccines to protect Australians.
Senior research officer Dr. Daniel Rawle and research officer Dr. Wilson Nguyen led the study and found that the strain had a consistent impact on the brain, which was in line with the seven deaths during the unprecedented outbreak. The outbreak had affected a total of 44 individuals across several states, including Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland.
Their research, published in the newly established Nature Publishing Journal, Viruses, revealed that the virus was capable of destroying miniature human brain organoids when infected. In addition, the team also analyzed blood samples from individuals who had previously been vaccinated against the virus. While the vaccine did offer some protection against the new Australian strain, further work is needed to develop a new vaccine specifically tailored to fight it.
Dr. Rawle explained that the continuous mutation of viruses makes it challenging to create effective vaccines, as they deviate from established vaccine targets. He compared this to the constant updates of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines and stated that a similar process may be needed for Japanese encephalitis.
The team also highlighted the lack of targeted treatments for Japanese encephalitis and the difficulty in treating brain infections. As such, a vaccine would be a crucial defense against this potentially fatal disease.
Using the tools they developed during their study, the researchers are now actively testing new vaccines against Japanese encephalitis. They have received a five-year grant from the Medical Research Future Fund for mRNA vaccine development and a generous donation from the Brazil Family Foundation.
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