Researchers discover vaccine to treat herpes

Researchers have discovered a new vaccine which is proving to be effective in combating herpes virus.

In the study, researchers delivered the Penn-developed vaccine to 64 mice and then exposed them to genital herpes. After 28 days, 63 of the mice were found to have sterilising immunity, meaning there was no trace of herpes infection or disease after the exposure.

Similarly, 10 guinea pigs, which have responses to herpes infections that more closely resemble that of humans, were also given the vaccine and exposed to the virus.

No animal developed genital lesions and only two showed any evidence that they became infected, but the infection was not in a form that animals could transmit the virus, reported the study published in the journal, 'Science Immunology'.

"We're extremely encouraged by the substantial immunising effect our vaccine had in these animal models," said the study's principal investigator Harvey Friedman, MD, a professor of Infectious Diseases.

"Based on these results, it is our hope that this vaccine could be translated into human studies to test both the safety and efficacy of our approach," added Friedman.

Building on the approaches of much cutting-edge cancer and immunotherapy researchers, the Penn team filled their vaccine with specific messenger RNA (mRNA), which can create proteins necessary for a strong immune response.

This vaccine stimulates three types of antibodies: one that blocks the herpes virus from entering cells, and two others that ensure the virus doesn't "turn off" innate immune system protective functions.

This approach differs from other herpes vaccines, which often only rely on blocking the virus's entry as the mode to attack the virus.

Genital herpes also called Herpes simplex virus type 2 or HSV-2 is the most common sexually-transmitted disease. Approximately 14 per cent of Americans ages 14 to 59, and 11 per cent of people in the same age range across the world are infected. HSV-2 may lead to painful sores, which can spread to other areas of the body.

The virus increases one's risk of contracting HIV and infected pregnant women may pass herpes onto their fetus, or more commonly, to their baby during delivery.

"Along with physical symptoms, HSV-2 takes an emotional toll," said Friedman. "People worry over the transmission of the disease, and it can certainly have a negative effect on intimate relationships."

Since herpes is so widespread but also often undetected, as it is only visible during an outbreak, researchers say a successful vaccine would be invaluable to many adults across the world.

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New treatment strategy brings hope of genital herpes cure

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. It infects both men and women. It can spread either by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with a person affected by the same. This disease though not life threatening like other forms of STDs, has no cure and one has to live with its consequences for life. Like most other STDs, genital herpes spreads silently without showing any obvious symptoms of the same.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2, which causes genital herpes, is very common and it affects more than 400 million people globally. Till date there is no cure for this condition and efforts to develop a vaccine have had limited success. Active herpes infection causes painful lesions that are physically and emotionally harmful to affected people.

But now researchers from Yale University say that the combination of a vaccine and a medicated cream may help to dramatically reduce the recurrence of genital herpes. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center also participated in this study.

Novel strategy for genital herpes treatment shows promise:

During the course of the study, researchers tested a novel vaccine strategy, known as prime and pull, in guinea pigs infected with genital herpes. The ‘prime’ involves a vaccine that generates a response to the virus from T cells. These are highly specialised immune cells. The ‘pull’ was a cream that contained imiquimod. This is a medication commonly used to treat genital warts. They noticed that when this was applied to the affected area, the cream attracted key immune cells to the site of infection. There they blocked the virus from spreading and causing herpes lesions.

The study demonstrated that the effect of the combination therapy, was greater than either the vaccine or cream alone. The research team gave three rounds of treatment to the animals. The strategy worked rapidly right from the first round itself.

Researchers say that if this strategy is developed into a therapy for humans, it could be a game changer for individuals with recurrent infections or resistance to standard antiviral treatment.

What causes genital herpes?

Genital herpes is caused by two types of viruses called herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2. It is most common in people in the age group of 14 to 49 but is also seen in older adults.

With herpes infection, sores or blisters are usually seen on the genitals of the infected person. These sores are filled with fluids that carry the virus. If a healthy person comes in contact with these fluids, the disease can be transmitted. Remember even if the symptoms of the disease are not prominent i.e., the sores aren’t present yet in the infected person, it can still be transmitted to the other partner during a sexual intercourse.

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?

One might not see any visible symptoms soon after being infected with the herpes virus. But as the infection grows and spreads it starts to show some mild symptoms.

The initial symptoms could be ‘pimples’ or ‘zits’ appearing on the genital areas of the one infected with herpes. Sometimes such signs are even seen around the mouth area too. Many times, people with herpes mistake these initial symptoms for a skin condition or as an allergy.

As the infection spreads the sores grow and start to appear more like blisters around the genitals, rectum and the mouth area. There can be one or more blisters at one spot at a time. If neglected and left untreated, the sores can break open and can cause pain. This outbreak is usually followed by flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches and swelling in the lymphatic glands. Usually the first attack of herpes is the worst and can take a toll on the person infected with it. These outbreaks can take upto several weeks to heal even with treatment.

Once infected the virus stays in the body for the rest of their life despite treatment and care. In such a scenario one can face episodes of repeated outbreaks. However, the outbreaks after the first one are usually shorter in duration and less painful. Also the number of outbreaks tend to decrease over a period of years.

Symptoms that can indicate a herpes infection other than sores or the outbreaks are smelly discharge, a burning sensation during urination and painful intercourse. Apart from this unusual vaginal bleeding between periods among women is also noticed.

How is genital herpes diagnosed and treated?

The diagnosis of genital herpes can be done symptomatically. Sometimes the doctor might even take swabs from the open sores to check for the presence of the virus.

Unfortunately, genital herpes has no cure. However, it can be managed efficiently with treatment. Regular medications can keep the symptoms in check and make it less likely to transmit the same to the partner during an intercourse.

In case of women who are pregnant and infected with herpes, special pre-natal care is necessary. Sometimes the infection can also lead to a miscarriage or premature delivery. A herpes infection can spread from a mother to the child. Medications are given to a pregnant woman during the last trimester to prevent transmitting the disease to the baby. Usually a C-section is performed on a mother who is suffering from herpes to save the baby from getting infected while birthing.

How can you prevent genital herpes?

To save yourself from genital herpes, always practise safe sex. Use latex condoms during sexual intercourse and dental dams during oral sex. Avoid having sex with multiple partners and practise monogamy. This can save you from getting infected with any type of STD. If the infection is already present talk to your partner about your health and the potential risks involved. Remember even if the signs of the disease are suppressed you can still pass the infection to your partner.

Condoms and dams can only cover the sores that are present in the genital areas and the mouth. But the blisters can also appear elsewhere in the body. Coming in contact with the fluids of the sores in case of an outbreak can also contribute in transmitting the disease. Hence, using condoms alone isn’t protection enough to limit the transmission of the disease.

Maintain proper hygiene and always wash hands thoroughly to prevent herpes from spreading to other parts of the body in case there are open sores. Herpes is not curable. So, always talk to your partner and keep your doctor in the loop to know how you can prevent the disease from coming in the way of good health and a happy sex life.

Living with genital herpes

The condition has no cure but can still be managed, though it can erode the quality of life and sexual health badly. Ignoring treatment can make it worse for those who have a suppressed immune system. Prolonged infection without proper care and treatment can also make one vulnerable to other potent forms of STD like AIDS. It is wise to follow proper treatment and guidance given by a sex therapist.

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Herpes Virus Can Affect Memory In Older Adults

Older adults who harbour certain infections, such as the herpes cold sore virus, may have poorer thinking and memory abilities than their peers, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that of more than 1,600 older adults, those with signs of chronic infection with herpes simplex and certain other viruses and bacteria scored lower on standard tests of mental skills.

Many people carry herpes simplex virus, or HSV. One form, HSV-1, usually causes cold sores around the mouth, while HSV-2 is the main cause of genital herpes. Once a person is infected with either form of HSV, the virus remains dormant in the body's nerve cells and can be reactivated repeatedly.

HSV can also move to any part of the body, including the brain, and for several decades, some researchers have speculated that chronic HSV infection might contribute to dementia -- possibly by causing persistent inflammation.

In the new study, the team used blood samples from 1,625 older adults -- average age 69 -- to look for indicators of chronic infection with a few common pathogens: HSV and another virus in the herpes family called cytomegalovirus, which usually causes no symptoms; C. pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes respiratory infections; and H. pylori, a stomach-dwelling bacterium that can cause ulcers.

On average, the greater their "infection burden," the worse the older adults performed on a standard test of thinking and memory, the study found.

That was true even when the researchers weighed other factors that affect older adults' mental sharpness, including education, smoking, heart disease and diabetes.

But the study hinted that exercise might play a protective role. The research team found that infection "burden" was related to mental impairment only among sedentary people -- and not those who said they got some exercise.

However, that too needs to be studied further, the team noted.

A researcher said that infection with the viruses, rather than the two bacteria, seemed to play a greater role in mental decline. Overall, 23 percent of the study participants had signs of mental impairment at the study's start; the odds of impairment were 2.5 times higher among people who carried all three viruses -- HSV 1 and 2, and cytomegalovirus -- than for people who carried only one virus.

"It's not just infection with one virus," but,"It's the overall burden." said a researcher.

Infections alone would not be the whole story, either, said a researcher, whose own work has uncovered a link between herpes viruses and dementia.

Most people carry at least one of these pathogens; up to 80 percent of adults are infected with cytomegalovirus by age 40, for example. But not all develop dementia.

For example, the gene variant APO E4 makes people more vulnerable to developing Alzheimer's disease, and one theory has been that if infections can promote mental decline, APO E4 carriers would be more susceptible.

A researcher agreed that more research is needed to know whether herpes viruses or other infections really contribute to mental decline.

If further studies do confirm that certain viruses play a role in mental decline, prevention would be important. Researcher pointed to vaccines as a potential way to protect people, "but we're a long way off from that," she said.