Canada: SARS vaccine linked to liver damage in ferret study

[Guest guest]

Also a recombinant vaccine like hep b vax

also using a modified vaccinia (smallpox vaccine) virus

" had created a vaccine from recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara

(rMVA) and the distinctive spike protein that marks the SARS coronavirus

(SARS-CoV). The trial vaccine is called rMVA-S. "

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/other/sars/news/dec0604sars1.html

SARS vaccine linked to liver damage in ferret study

Amy L. Becker Staff Writer

Dec 6, 2004 (CIDRAP News) – Researchers in Canada who found hepatitis in

ferrets after injecting the animals with an experimental vaccine for SARS

(severe acute respiratory syndrome) are urging caution as other

investigators develop and test SARS vaccines.

As reported in the November issue of the Journal of Virology, the study

involved a vaccine developed by senior author Jingxin Cao, PhD, of the

Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiological Laboratory in

Winnipeg, Man. Cao had created a vaccine from recombinant modified vaccinia

virus Ankara (rMVA) and the distinctive spike protein that marks the SARS

coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The trial vaccine is called rMVA-S.

The team chose ferrets for the study on the basis of their reported

susceptibility to SARS infection, Cao told CIDRAP News.

At the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health's Biosafety

Level 4 lab in Winnipeg, three ferrets were injected with the rMVA-S

vaccine, three with parental MVA, and three with saline solution. They

received booster immunizations 2 weeks later.

Then the ferrets were exposed intranasally to the SARS virus, which

infected more than 8,000 people and killed 774 between November 2002 and

July 2003.

On the plus side, immunization with rMVA-S induced a rapid immune response

following exposure to the virus, the researchers wrote. The ferrets

displayed no clinical signs of illness, but viral RNA was found in

pharyngeal swabs and blood samples taken from all the ferrets.

But researchers unexpectedly discovered a downside when they checked the

ferrets' liver health. Ferrets vaccinated with rMVA-S and exposed to

SARS-CoV had elevated levels of an enzyme that indicates liver damage.

Examination of liver sections showed that the ferrets had severe hepatitis.

Only mild hepatitis was found in the ferrets injected with parental MVA or

saline.

It's uncommon to perform the tests that revealed the hepatitis, said

, acting communications manager for the Canadian Science Centre for

Human and Animal Health. This study will help ensure that any other SARS

vaccine will be safer, as scientists should know to check for this possible

side effect.

" Extra caution should be taken in proposed human trials of SARS vaccines

due to the potential liver damage from immunization and virus infection, "

the research report states.

Cao said he hopes that others recognize the significance of the hepatitis

among the vaccinated ferrets. " For future human vaccine development, we

must pay attention to that effect, " he said.

The lead author of the study, Hana Weingartl, PhD, head of special

pathogens for Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, said

she and her fellow researchers are seeking a grant to continue their work.

" We would like to look more closely at why we saw the liver damage in those

animals, " she said. " It would be good to know what not to do. "

The findings underscore how little is understood about SARS, which emerged

in southern China in November 2002. Since its discovery, scientists have

raced to contain it and develop a vaccine. Weingartl and Cao's study is one

of several vaccine investigations in various stages in several countries.

Researchers need a better understanding of how the virus damages the host,

Weingartl said.

In an unrelated SARS vaccine investigation, the Chinese government

yesterday announced that a vaccine proved safe and effective in a phase 1

clinical trial. Thirty-six volunteers who had been vaccinated reported no

unusual physical reactions after 56 days, Agence France-Presse reported

(AFP). In addition, antibodies were found in 24 of those vaccinated, the

story said.

Testing began in May with 18 men and 18 women from 21 to 40 years old

following what the government termed successful animal tests, AFP reported.

The vaccine won't be ready for commercial use until two more testing phases

are completed.

Weingartl H, Czub M, Czub S, et al. Immunization with modified vaccinia

virus Ankara-based recombinant vaccine against severe acute respiratory

syndrome is associated with enhanced hepatitis in ferrets. J Virology

2004;78(22):12672-6 [Abstract]

--------------------------------------------------------

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Classical Homeopath

http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccine.htm

[Guest guest]

<<Researchers in Canada who found hepatitis in ferrets after injecting

the animals with an experimental vaccine for SARS (severe acute

respiratory syndrome) are urging caution as other investigators develop

and test SARS vaccines. >>

I do understand some of the need for using animals for research, I just

hate it when I hear about them using animals I consider pets! :-(

Although, I used to have mice in high school too. :-/

Ohio

)0(~~~)0(~~~)0(

Mom to Brittany, born 8/31/93, dx'd-IDDM 5/28/01; , born 6/28/97;

and Shayna, born 6/1/00.

Vaccine free since 1999! See our site and get more vaccine info at

http://www.loonatics-fringe.com

For Ohio specific Vaccine Info - http://groups.msn.com/OhioVaxInfo/

[Guest guest]

There is no need to use animals in research - NONE - as none of that

research is necessary

It only produces drugs that injure and kill

No one has ever been CURED - and I mean totally cured - from drugs and

animal research

No one. Cure is to totally deal with the root cause of the diseae and

remove it.

Not drugging you so your syptoms go away - that is not cure - the problem

is still there.

Sheri

At 04:03 PM 12/07/2004 -0500, you wrote:

>

><<Researchers in Canada who found hepatitis in ferrets after injecting

>the animals with an experimental vaccine for SARS (severe acute

>respiratory syndrome) are urging caution as other investigators develop

>and test SARS vaccines. >>

>

>I do understand some of the need for using animals for research, I just

>hate it when I hear about them using animals I consider pets! :-(

>Although, I used to have mice in high school too. :-/

>

>

--------------------------------------------------------

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Classical Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Nevada City CA & Wales UK

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ANY INFO OBTAINED HERE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS MEDICAL

OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION TO VACCINATE IS YOURS AND YOURS ALONE.

******

" Just look at us. Everything is backwards; everything is upside down.

Doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy

knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the major media destroy information

and religions destroy spirituality " .... Ellner

[Guest guest]

<<There is no need to use animals in research - NONE - as none of that

research is necessary It only produces drugs that injure and kill No one

has ever been CURED - and I mean totally cured - from drugs and animal

research No one. Cure is to totally deal with the root cause of the

diseae and remove it. Not drugging you so your syptoms go away - that is

not cure - the problem is still there.>>

Very true. :-(

Ohio

)0(~~~)0(~~~)0(

Mom to Brittany, born 8/31/93, dx'd-IDDM 5/28/01; , born 6/28/97;

and Shayna, born 6/1/00.

Vaccine free since 1999! See our site and get more vaccine info at

http://www.loonatics-fringe.com

For Ohio specific Vaccine Info - http://groups.msn.com/OhioVaxInfo/