Vaccines containing ribavirin and methods of use thereof
Compositions and methods for enhancing the effect of vaccines in animals, such as domestic, sport, or pet species, and humans are disclosed. More particularly, vaccine compositions comprising ribavirin and an antigen, preferably an antigen that has an epitope present in Hepatitis C virus (HCV), are disclosed for use in treating and preventing disease, preferably HCV infection.
1. A method of increasing the titer of hepatitis viral antigen-specific IgG antibodies in a subject in need thereof consisting essentially of:
identifying a subject in need of an increase in titer of IgG antibodies that are specific for a hepatitis viral antigen; and
providing, in a single administration, an immunogenic composition that comprises an effective amount of ribavirin and a nucleic acid molecule encoding said hepatitis viral antigen to said subject.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said hepatitis antigen is an antigen from hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C virus.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said viral antigen comprises a hepatitis C viral antigen.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said viral antigen comprises an NS3 antigen.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said viral antigen comprises an NS4A antigen.
6. A method of enhancing a T cell response to a hepatitis viral antigen in a subject in need thereof consisting essentially of:
identifying a subject in need of an improvement in a T cell response to a hepatitis viral antigen; and
providing, in a single administration, an immunogenic composition that comprises an effective amount of ribavirin and a nucleic acid molecule encoding said viral antigen to said subject.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said hepatitis antigen is an antigen from hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said viral antigen comprises a hepatitis C viral antigen.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said viral antigen comprises an NS3 antigen.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein said viral antigen comprises an NS4A antigen.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises SEQ ID NO: 16.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule consists essentially of the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 16.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule consists of the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 16.
14. The method of claim 6 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises SEQ ID NO: 16.
15. The method of claim 6 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule consists essentially of the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 16.
16. The method of claim 6 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule consists of the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 16.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein said immunogenic composition is provided to said subject transdermally.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein said immunogenic composition is provided to said subject intranasally.
19. The method of claim 6 , wherein said immunogenic composition is provided to said subject transdermally.
20. The method of claim 6 , wherein said immunogenic composition is provided to said subject intranasally.
21. The method of claim 1 , wherein said immunogenic composition comprises an oil.
22. The method of claim 6 , wherein said immunogenic composition comprises an oil.
23. The method of claim 1 , wherein said immunogenic composition is formulated for use with an injection device.
24. The method of claim 23 , wherein said injection device is an electrical injection device.
25. The method of claim 23 , wherein said injection device is a needleless injection device.
26. The method of claim 6 , wherein said immunogenic composition is formulated for use with an injection device.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein said injection device is an electrical injection device.
28. The method of claim 26 , wherein said injection device is a needleless injection device.
29. The method of claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid comprises a sequence that encodes SEQ ID NO: 17.
30. The method of claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid consists essentially of a sequence that encodes SEQ ID NO: 17.
31. The method of claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid consists of a sequence that encodes SEQ ID NO: 17.
32. The method of claim 6 , wherein said nucleic acid comprises a sequence that encodes SEQ ID NO: 17.
33. The method of claim 6 , wherein said nucleic acid consists essentially of a sequence that encodes SEQ ID NO: 17.
34. The method of claim 6 , wherein said nucleic acid consists of a sequence that encodes SEQ ID NO: 17.