DNA immunization: Present and future

Abstract

This chapter discusses the present and future of DNA immunization. Vaccination continues to be the most cost-effective means by which economic losses and animal suffering from infectious diseases can be prevented. To date the majority of the preventive measures directed against controlling infectious diseases include immunization with live attenuated or inactivated vaccines. Although these approaches have been at least partially successful, the quest for better and safer methods of immunization continues. One possible approach to improve both safety and efficacy of vaccination and especially duration of immunity is by employing DNA immunization. As a result of these initial observations, it became clear that injected DNA could persist for extended periods of time in muscle tissues. Whether the DNA integrates or not is still an issue of debate with most reports suggesting that it does not, but there are also reports that under certain conditions it may integrate. Determination of whether integration occurs or not is critical if one hopes to use this approach for immunization of companion or food producing animals.