The Immunology of Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika Virus: Implications for Vaccines and Vaccine Development

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Vaccines against Tropical and other Infectious Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 205

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
Interests: virology; animal models; drug development; vaccines; adjuvants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dengue viruses (DENVs) are a leading cause of viral infections and disease in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) have also spread globally in more recent years, causing significant outbreaks. Each of these viruses is transmitted between individuals by Aedes species mosquitoes (notably Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus); thus, as the vectors expand into previously more temperate regions, so too does the risk of infection. Despite these risks, the availability of vaccines against DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV, which are both safe and efficacious, is either limited or unavailable. Confounding the development and safety of vaccines is a detailed understanding of the immunological response to infection with these viruses following natural transmission via the mosquito. Traditionally, immunological studies with DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV have relied on needle inoculation of animal models; however, more recent studies suggest that mosquito saliva contains excipients that can perpetuate infection. Thus, a detailed understanding of the role of mosquito saliva as well as specific excipients found in mosquito saliva on the immunological response to viral infection is needed in order to fully appreciate the protective efficacy and risks of vaccination against DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV.

Dr. Jonathan O. Rayner
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • dengue
  • chikungunya
  • Zika
  • mosquito
  • saliva
  • immunity
  • innate
  • adaptive
  • immunomodulation
  • vaccines

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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